
TelegramLive: Ukraine“Too political”: The International Paralympic Committee refused to approve Ukraine’s team uniform for over two months.
A key element of the controversy was a map of Ukraine that included Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. The IPC reportedly objected to this depiction, but the Ukrainian committee successfully argued to keep it.
Additionally, the uniform incorporated a shade of green, which the Ukrainian committee described as a "protective" color and a symbol of the country's soldiers. The IPC raised concerns about the military connotations of this color choice.
Valerii Sushkevych, the head of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, explained, "This form looks military, and the design of the form is very similar to the form of warriors. I believe that this is not a military uniform, but it says a lot. We came here not to a sports festival, not just to fight for a purely sporting [holiday], but also for peace. Those who live in Ukraine will understand why we chose [such a uniform]."
Despite the IPC's objections, the Ukrainian team prevailed and will be wearing the contested uniforms in Paris. The design serves as a powerful symbol of Ukraine's ongoing struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
🪐 Subscribe to Live: Ukraine