05 March 2014, 14:52
Dmitry Bulatov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, states boycott of Sochi Paralympics
The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Dmitry Bulatov has officially announced the decision to boycott the 11th Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi; however, the country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) has not yet made a final decision.
According to Bulatov, his decision was caused solely by political motives.
"Now there is a tragic situation, when Russia, the organizing state of the Paralympics, is the aggressor and occupant in relation to Ukraine. We hope that Russian authorities understand their responsibility," said Bulatov in his appeal, quoted by the Ukrainian portal "LB.ua".
The Minister said that the NOC of Ukraine has not yet made a final decision on the participation in the Games; he also stressed that the Ukrainian national team is among the favourites of the upcoming event.
