Ukraine's badminton stars reveal how they trained under bombs

In the heart of New Delhi, Ukrainian badminton players Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr are showcasing the spirit of resilience amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The war, which began in 2022, has turned lives upside down for Buhrova, who remains in Kharkiv. She expressed the dire situation, saying, "It's still really, really bad. It's really hard, but that also gives me a lot of power, and I'm really proud to represent my country as a fighter, and show how Ukraine is fighting, believing and growing."

Buhrova and her doubles partner Kantemyr had to abandon elite training in Ukraine due to the war, eventually settling in Italy. Buhrova recounted, "When the war started, I was in Ukraine. We were practicing under the bombs. An alarm would go and you needed to throw everything on the floor and run to the shelter." Kantemyr, who left Ukraine as a teenager, echoed her partner's sentiments, emphasizing the significance of representing Ukraine on the international stage.

She remarked, "We're happy that we can represent (Ukraine) at a high level and show good results and make the country proud."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, a move seen as a significant step towards Russia's return ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Kantemyr, however, labeled it a "big mistake" by the IOC and expressed no personal animosity towards individual competitors. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has stated that athletes should not be held accountable for their governments' actions, and the Olympic body would continue supporting Ukraine while not condoning war. The World Championships in New Delhi are set to conclude on Sunday.