Ukraine’s fans have reason to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics, particularly in gymnastics. The country will take part in the same. That was after the National Olympic Committee (NOC) relaxed their ruling. Ukraine?s NOC had announced their intention to boycott any events that could see their athletes compete with Russians and Belarussians. The threat extended to the Summer Olympics in the City of Light. They then reversed their decision regarding the French capital. Hence, the Ukrainian flag will fly high in Paris, subject to certain conditions.

The drastic step was initially taken in view of the decision to permit Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete as neutrals. Despite the ongoing situation, Ukrainian athletes will be part of the spectacle that the 2024 Olympics promises to be. Ukraine will definitely compete in the individual all-around in artistic gymnastics as a teenage gymnast has made her nation proud.?

Ukraine guaranteed participation in gymnastics

15-year-old gymnast Anna Lashchevska sealed qualification for her country. Her performance in that event at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships did the trick. She was one among 14 gymnasts to achieve that feat. In the process, she became the first female athlete from Ukraine to reserve a spot in Paris.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had banned Russia and Belarus from international competition following the war?s outbreak. That stance has softened since. Now, athletes from both countries will compete, provided they are not supporters of the invasion. Any affiliations with the military or any security service will also result in disqualification. Other violations, such as doping, will relatively take a back seat by comparison. The IOC has yet to give member committees their last word on the subject. That added to the disdain of Ukrainian athletes.

A difficult situation

As reported by NBC News, at least one Ukrainian athlete has gone on record to voice their anger. Rhythmic gymnastics was one such sport where the athlete raised their concerns. Viktoriia Onopriienko said she would gladly sacrifice any medal in her future to avoid competing against Russian and Belarussian athletes. Onopriienko?s father, Maksym, is currently busy at the front-lines while she trains in a comparatively unrecognizable Kyiv.

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Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan, who not that long ago bested Russian Anna Smirnova 15-7, earned disqualification at the World Championships in Milan. The four-time Olympic medalist refused to shake hands with Smirnova after the match. She is far from the only one to make the same gesture. Tennis players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk did the same with their competitors. Also, a letter from the IOC President Thomas Bach guaranteed Kharlan a spot in Paris even if she could not qualify.

Russian and Belarussian athletes must take part as neutrals in Paris, if at all. They must compulsorily undergo more screening than the average Olympian. While that is scant consolation, Ukraine will have a presence in Paris next summer. Anna Leshcheskva secured her spot in the individual all-round in gymnastics. All that remains is to see how many of Ukrainian origin will be on the plane to Paris.

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