At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina (Tizero), 18-year-old skier Sofia Shkatula cried after her performance in the competition, where she had to compete against athletes from Russia and Belarus.
The athlete admitted that it is difficult for her to concentrate, as her home in the Sumy region was destroyed during the war. At the same time, she noted that her tears are not directed against specific opponents.
Shkatula finished in 64th place in the sprint qualification, which did not allow her to advance to the finals.
It is worth noting that according to the rules of the International Olympic Committee, athletes from Russia and Belarus compete under a neutral flag. At the same time, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevich was prohibited from using a helmet in memory of fallen athletes, highlighting the ongoing tension at the Olympics.
