PARIS (AP) — Ukraine‘s Olympic house stands out for its somber atmosphere, with fewer celebrations and parties than the other fan clubhouses that countries set up to tout their athletes and culture. It has moments of silence for war victims and screens documentaries about the destruction.
Organizers’ goal is to keep Russia’s invasion of Ukraine front of mind for everyday people after more than two years of war.
Many have grown weary of the waves of devastation in Ukraine. Plus, global attention has shifted elsewhere — to the war in Gaza or elections in the U.S. — but without that spotlight, Kyiv could find it increasingly difficult to secure more military aid from Western allies to withstand the grinding war of attrition.
With all eyes on the 2024 Olympics, Ukraine seized the moment to spread its message that it was seeking more than medals — it was vying for the world’s attention.
“Sport cannot be separate from the war because the war destroys everyone,” said Yaroslava Gres, co-founder of the Ukrainian communications agency Gres Todorchuk. “The pain that Ukraine is experiencing, and the need to convey it and evoke empathy and solidarity — that is the hardest part.”
At the Paris Games, Ukrainians harnessed different ways to share their story — from evocative art exhibits to Olympians using their victories to speak out.
And Ukraine House was a central hub for this. There’s a replica of a makeshift…
