Invictus games should start in Vancouver and Whistler on Saturday, and more than 20 nations that participate, there is no doubt that the possibility of competing means the most for the sole country at war.
The multi-sport tournament attracts athletes who are injured, injured or sick of military service, both in service and veterans.
Some of these athletes, such as Illia Haiduk, are from Ukraine, who has been at the active war since the invasion of Russia in 2022.
“It’s very great for me,” said Haiduk about games.
“I just don’t have the impression of being injured, as if I had problems. I just live my life as I did before. It is a very big project, this invictus. »»
Haiduk, who walks with a prosthesis after awarding the leg, is competing in skiing, skeleton, hiking and basketball in wheelchair.
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It is far from his old life.
The 34 -year -old man was a police officer for more than six years before the war, when he decided to register with the soldiers to defend his country.
In the army, he served as an operator of battle drones, stealing armed drones up to a kilogram of explosives against enemy troops and tanks, and reaching the rank of unitary commander.
Everything changed in October 2023, when he was far from the front lines.
“I was injured during a ceremony that brought together many soldiers, men and women who had exercised their functions, their courage and their dedication to protect our country,” he said.
“An enemy drone has seen military units there … When they saw us, they sent an Iskander missile … Many of my brothers died that day.”
Haiduk lost part of his leg because of the bursts of shells during the attack and faced a long recovery thereafter.
“More than eight months, I was without prosthesis. It was like operations maybe every month, “he said.
But during his recovery, he began to embark on athletics.
It was there that he exploited a community of veterans who, according to him, helped him in an immeasurably.
“When you train with other guys who have such injuries, who have the same problems, it’s very motivational,” he said.
Now in Canada for the first time, he says he is delighted to represent his country and explore the land.
“The most I love is skiing. I am so in love with this sport. Skiing on a ski and one leg and two bustlers, “he said.
“So large hills, a good weather, large mountains. It’s very beautiful.
The Ukraine team has 24 athletes in this year’s games, which attracted more than 500 participants from around the world.
“I stand here because I have survived,” said Haiduk. “But I have a responsibility for those who have their stories but who cannot speak today.”
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