You already know that the Republican Party has established a strong presence in the former Soviet Union through the anti-democratic policies of Vladimir Putin (R-RU), aka GOP Pootie. Sadly, Putin has a Republican ally in the Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who is killing hos people to maintain dominance. Putin supports him. Consider the years of sacrifice athletes undertake to earn an opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games. That Bogdana Matsotska has sacrificed that opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian protestors makes her a true Olympic Hero.
Two members of Ukraine’s Olympic team withdrew from the Sochi Games on Thursday in a show of solidarity with protesters who are locked in a violent conflict with their government in the capital city of Kiev.
Bogdana Matsotska, an Alpine skier, and her father and coach, Oleg Matsotskyy, announced on Matsotskyy’s Facebook page that they would be leaving Sochi before Matsotska had finished competing. Matsotska, 24, will not take part in the women’s slalom, which is scheduled for Friday…
…In explaining the decision to leave early, Matsotskyy wrote in his Facebook post that “as a protest against lawless actions made towards protesters, the lack of responsibility from the side of the president and his lackey government, we refuse further performance at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games.” It is believed that at least 25 people have died and hundreds more were injured in a confrontation in Kiev this week.
Along with his message, Matsotskyy posted a picture that appeared to be of him and Matsotska, standing in front of the Olympic rings and holding a Ukrainian flag. He wrote that he and his daughter had come to Sochi hoping that President Viktor F. Yanukovych and his government would negotiate peacefully with the opposition during the Olympics. They added that they believed the violence that erupted against protesters was a “violation of the old principle of the Games — the Olympic Truce.”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <NY Times>
Here’s video of Bogdana.
Lawrence O’Donnell also covered this story. I’m sorry that international readers cannot watch this, but I could not find it from another source.
Kudos to Bogdana and her father.
8 Responses to “A True Olympic Hero”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I ttrust by now everyone knows that, despite the fact that some things were signed yesterday, Viktor Yanukovych has fled the palace and the capital. NY Times: "Vitali Klitschko, one of three opposition leaders who signed the deal to end the violence, said that Mr. Yanukovych had 'left the capital' but his whereabouts were unknown, with members of the opposition speculating that he had gone to Kharkiv, in the northeast part of Ukraine."
I agree Bogdana is a true hero, and join in the kudos you send, TC.
Kudos to her and her father.
Has anyone seen the before and after pictures of Kiev on Rachel Maddow's show las night? Terrible!
Stepping out of the Olympics to join protesters in Kiev . . . kudos to her but I wonder if the Russians will try to stop her? Here is an interesting article from the Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/22/ukraine-president-yanukovych-flees-kiev . After reading this article, I really wonder if Russia will try to create trouble in the Ukraine . . . even trying to take it over?
She really is a true olympic hero. This is a huge sacrifice for her. Kudos to the people of Ukraine for being brave enough to fight for their rights.
Thanks and amen to all of the above.
How unusual. People of PRINCIPAL! GOOD FOR THEM We need many more.
Very Sad indeed… sigh