President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the winners and medalists of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris and awarded them with state awards. In turn, the Olympians handed over to the President a Paris 2024 poster with the autographs of Ukrainian athletes and boxer Oleksandr Usyk presented his WBC heavyweight world championship belt. UNN reports with reference to the press service of the Presidential Office.
Zelensky thanked the Olympians for glorifying independence and proving Ukraine's strength.
You could not help but feel the support of all of us, millions of Ukrainians. And we were not just rooting for all of you, for each and every one of you - we were with you with our whole country, with all our thoughts and hearts, and we felt like we were competing with you as a whole country
The President presented the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of the IV degree to Olympic boxing champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak and the Order of Princess Olga of the I degree to Olympic high jump champion Yaroslava Maguchikh.
The Head of State also awarded Olympians with the Order of Merit of the II and III degrees, Princess Olga of the II and III degrees, and coaches of Ukrainian athletes with awards and honorary titles.
"Together we are showing the world what Ukraine is, what our country is. Ukraine that is fighting. Ukraine, which can be very painful, difficult, but it gets up and continues to go to its main goal. Ukraine that is able to take a punch. Ukraine that is capable of winning," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Olympians handed over to the President a poster of Paris 2024 with autographs of Ukrainian athletes created by French illustrator Hugo Gattoni.
Boxer Oleksandr Usyk presented Zelenskyy with his WBC heavyweight world championship belt. The athlete won it back in 2018, and this year in May he regained it in a fight against Tyson Fury, becoming the first absolute heavyweight champion in all four versions. This is a special belt made specifically for this fight.
Today, during the Independence Day celebrations on St. Sophia Square in Kyiv, the President also awarded the Order of Freedom to Oleksandr Usyk and two-time Olympic champion Olha Harlan, and recently presented them with the National Legend of Ukraine award.