The Ukrainian female ski team that did not come out for the team sprint (classical style) wanted to participate in the race with ribbons to express their grief over the victims of the happenings in Kiev. However, the International Olympic Committee did not allow them to change their equipment this way. Thus, Ukrainians Maryna Lisogor and Kateryna Serdyuk did not approach the starting line, according to special reporter Yevgen Dzichovsky. Before this the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine explained the lack of participation with Serdyuk having a trauma. – “Pravda.ua”
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Some Ukrainian athletes are leaving the Olympics, an International Olympic Committee official said Thursday, as violent clashes continued in their home country.
The athletes are returning to Ukraine despite the country’s Olympic team officials saying it is best for them to stay and compete, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.
He said the IOC respects every athlete’s decision to do what is best for them. He didn’t say which athletes were leaving.
Two Ukrainian cross-country skiers, Kateryna Serdyuk and Marina Lisogor, didn’t compete in Wednesday’s team sprint classic. An IOC statement said Serdyuk pulled out with a back injury sustained during training, but there were no details on why Lisogor withdrew.
Ukraine’s Olympic committee couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. The country has 44 athletes at the Games and has won one bronze medal, picked up by Vita Semerenko in the 7.5 kilometer sprint biathlon.
Maidan 2013. Майдан 2013. 