Ukrainian canoeist forced to tape over part of the "I am Ukrainian" sign on her boat at the Olympics
Kyiv • UNN
At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, organizers forced Ukrainian canoeist Anastasia Rybachok to cover part of the "I am Ukrainian" sign on her boat. The International Canoe Federation considers this inscription to be propaganda.
The official partner of canoeist Anastasia Rybachok, BGV Group Management , expressed outrage over the events at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The International Canoe Federation considers the inscription "I am Ukrainian" on her boat to be propaganda and forced her to close part of the phrase, UNN reports.
BGV Group Management notes that the story of Anastasia Rybachok's boat design has a deep symbolic meaning. The inscription "I am Ukrainian" was meaningful for the entire team, as Anastasia repeatedly said at a press conference in Zhytomyr. Rybachok designed her canoe herself, which reflects her strong self-identity and Ukrainian resilience.
The International Olympic Committee prohibits any war-related inscriptions on boats. For example, we cannot write "Stop War". They consider it propaganda. But the inscription "I am Ukrainian" is different, it indicates our affiliation with Ukraine, which is important. When I created the design for the canoe, I wanted to emphasize that I am from Ukraine and I am incredibly proud of it!
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Canoeist Anastasia Rybachok, who won silver at the 2020 Olympics, is participating in two events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: the 500-meter double sculls and the 200-meter single sculls. Anastasiia, together with Liudmyla Luzan, successfully started in the 500-meter double sculls on August 6. Her next start in the single sculls will take place on August 8.
Recall
Ukraine's women's sabre fencing team has won the team tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Olga Kharlan, Olena Kravatska, Alina Komashchuk and Yulia Bakastova brought Ukraine its first gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.
