Pre-Olympic protest in Paris honors Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine reported the information.

Starting from Place du Panthéon and ending at Place Saint-Michel, participants wore T-shirts bearing the names of the killed athletes, expressing condolences to their families. 

Ukrainians, French, Georgians, Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, as well as representatives of the Syrian and Iranian opposition, joined in solidarity to condemn Russia's actions.

"The Ukrainian athletes had every chance to represent Ukraine in Paris, but they were killed by Russia," said Matviy Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. "Now the murdered Ukrainian athletes have become part of the Heavenly Team, which we will forever be with us."

Among the deceased athletes are Maksym Halinichev (boxing), Ivan Bidnyak and Yehor Kihitov (shooting), Stanislav Hulenkov (judo) and Oleksandr Pielieshenko (weightlifting). 

• On July 7, people took to the streets in Paris, urging France and the general public to support Ukraine's accession to NATO.