Participants and medalists of the 2024 Olympics arrive in Kyiv: first comments from athletes

Participants and medalists of the 2024 Olympics have returned to Ukraine. Today, on August 13, representatives of Ukrainian teams in canoeing, wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, weightlifting, synchronized swimming, and fencing arrived at the Central Railway Station in Kyiv. The Olympians were met by relatives, friends and fans, UNN reports with reference to Suspilne.

Among those who came back from the Paris Olympics was Greco-Roman wrestler Zhan Beleniuk, a bronze medalist in the 87 kg weight category. He won a full set of Olympic medals from three different Olympics and announced his retirement from the sport.

"This is the medal I was missing in my collection. I want to thank all the Ukrainians who watched, observed, and supported our athletes. We felt very strong support from the Ukrainian diaspora in France, from the people who were there. It was very motivating and gave us strength and inspiration to show results," emphasized Jean Beleniuk.

Lyudmyla Luzan and Anastasia Rybachok won silver at the second Olympics in a row, finishing second in the 500-meter double sculls final.

"Each of us did a great job and behind each of us was a great team of people who put their hearts and souls into it, helped us, supported us so that we could represent our country at the Olympic Games with dignity. You saw our crazy finish, how we rowed in the boat. Probably, the whole of Ukraine was with us in the boat at that moment," Lyudmila Luzan shared her impressions.

Greco-Roman wrestler Parviz Nasibov brought Ukraine a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games. The medalist was met at the train station by friends and his wife and three-month-old son.

"The emotions are very good. I want to get back to work as soon as possible. I am grateful to the entire Ukrainian people for the support they give me," said Pavriz Nasibov.

Fencer Olha Harlan, the most decorated athlete in the history of the Ukrainian Olympic Games, winner of six Olympic awards, multiple champion and medalist of the World and European Championships, came to meet the athletes at the Kyiv railway station. At the 2024 Olympics, Olha won a gold medal in team sabre fencing and a bronze medal in the individual competition. Olga returned to Ukraine on August 10.

"The Olympic Games are very difficult competitions. And the fact that our country is now at war makes it one hundred percent more difficult for us. The fact that we have 12 medals, I think, is a success. And we have three gold medals. This is very cool. I am very proud of all our athletes who represented our country in Paris. They are all heroes. It was a very difficult selection," the fencer told reporters.

Olympics 2024: Ukraine finishes with 12 medalsAug 11 2024, 11:20 AM • 115364 views