Ukraine athletes appeal for peace with banner at Beijing Winter Paralympics Games

Ukraine athletes appeal for peace with banner at Beijing Winter Paralympics Games

ZHANGJIAKOU, China – Ukrainian athletes and officials made an appeal for peace at the Beijing Winter Paralympics on Thursday, unfurling a banner, observing a minute of silence and appealing for an end to the war triggered by Russia’s invasion of their country.

Led by national paralympic committee president Valerii Sushkevych, the entire 20-member delegation held up a “peace for all” message, accompanied by raised fists.

“This one minute is about the thousands of people, including children and others with disabilities, back in Ukraine,” said Sushkevych. “If mankind is civilized, then this war must be stopped. People, women and children deserve to live, not die.”

A member of the Ukrainian team cries during a moment of silence at the Zhangjiakou athletes village.
MOHD RASFAN
Members of Team Ukraine hold a banner up  reading 'Peace for All' in the Athletes Village during day six of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics.
Members of Team Ukraine hold a banner up reading ‘Peace for All’ in the Athletes Village during day six of the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics.
Alex Davidson/Getty Images for International Paralympic Committee