Bleak future for Ukraine: Athletics chief

Ukraine needs to “invest in youth sports now” despite the ongoing war with Russia or “there may be no one to represent” the country at future international events, the president of its athletics federation said.

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Olha Saladukha, a former triple jumper who won world gold in 2011, said despite the grinding conflict, Ukraine was looking to the future.

“What matters most to us is the next generation,” she told AFP by email.

“We are aware that many children have left Ukraine due to the war and it is uncertain if they will return... while others had been killed or abducted.”

Ukrainian coaches and athletes across all sports have been killed and a massive amount of infrastructure destroyed in the war.

“If we do not invest in youth sports now, we risk losing an entire generation, and in a few years, there may be no one to represent Ukraine at the world championships or the Olympic Games,” she added.