Ukrainian wrestler and member of parliament has a goal for Paris: 'Show that Ukraine is still alive'
Ukraine wrestler Zhan Beleniuk will try bringing pride to his warn-torn country when he seeks a second Olympic gold medal and third overall medal in the Greco-Roman category
PARIS (AP) — Zhan Beleniuk's focus wavered at times as he trained in hopes of winning a second Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling.
The Ukrainian doesn't just represent his country in international competition. He's a member of parliament. And since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, well, it's been easy for his mind to drift.
“It’s difficult because you are thinking about your safety, the safety of your relatives, your friends,” Beleniuk said. “And you know, it’s not comfortable training when some missiles are flying about your head. That’s why it’s difficult, it’s dangerous. But it’s our reality.”
Beleniuk, 33, said his team mostly trained in Ukraine before the Games, but it spent more time outside the country than usual, including places such as Croatia and Poland. He said other nations that normally would have trained some in Ukraine declined to for safety reasons.
