Bubka, Ukrainian athletes welcomed by Italian Olympic Committee

Ukraine Olympic Committee president Sergey Bubka, Minister of Youth and Sport Vadym Guttasait and some 20 Ukrainian athletes have been welcomed as guests of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) over a two-day visit in Rome.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Italian sport leaders, CONI and 20 of Italy’s National Sport Federations have opened their training facilities hosting and supporting Ukrainian athletes who have fled the war-torn country.

Following a meeting at CONI headquarters on Monday, Bubka, Guttasait, and the Ukrainian athletes were invited to the nearby “Giulio Onesti” Olympic Training Center by CONI president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Giovanni Malagò . The guests were duly welcomed by Italian sport minister Valentina Vezzali, CONI secretary general Carlo Mornati, IOC member Manuela Di Centa, honorary IOC members Franco Carraro and Mario Pescante and three of Italy’s sport federation presidents.

A teary-eyed Bubka addressed the Italian hosts during a news conference on Wednesday.

“I cannot explain how difficult it is to speak, my heart is broken,” said Bubka, who is also chair of the IOC task force assisting athletes. “I am doing everything in my power to bring peace and save my people.

“Without Italy we would have no future. I have never encountered such solidarity in my life. All my gratitude goes to the Italian people,” said the 1988 Olympic pole vault champion and IOC member.

“We are here because the world of sport is united and compact and we want to express gratitude to our Italian friends and people, not just to the sports family, because Italy stands by Ukraine. Without your support we could not succeed.”

Malago expressed Italy’s pride, as the first country to actively support Ukrainian athletes since the war began in February.

“Here you will always find what you need and we are happy that we can provide for you,” Malagò said, addressing the Ukrainian group of rowing, taekwondo and fencing athletes present. “Always consider the Olympic training center as your second home, even if we don’t want it to become one forever since we know how much you want to return to your country.

“President Bubka told me a few words that will stay in my mind for a lifetime,” Malagò continued. “It is impossible to predict the future, but I hope the war will end soon. For sure I am really proud that Italy is the first country in the world to support the activity of Ukrainian athletes and in this meeting we did not talk about the past and the present, but of the future.”

Malagò offered additional details about the cooperation and solidarity between the two countries, while informing that 1.5 million Euros will be allocated by Italy.

“Sport is also solidarity and its values speak a universal language, capable of overcoming all differences,” Malagò said. “CONI and twenty federations are engaged in this important project to support the athletes. This is more important than any victory, any gold medal. We interpret the concept of Olympic solidarity in the best way.”

Malagò said the project is entirely backed by the Italian federal government.

“Last night, I spoke with Prime Minister Mario Draghi, he too was proud and honored of what Italy and the world of sport are doing for Ukraine,” Malago revealed.

The highly emotional Bubka shared personal stories, while also noting how touched he has been by the overwhelming support and Olympic family solidarity.

“This is my first conference since the war began,” Bubka said. “I have spent all my energy helping our athletes, our compatriots.

“My mother is 85-years-old and cannot move, she cannot stand for long, my father takes care of her and they are in Donetsk,” he said, wondering if he will see his parents again.

“We are here because of the ongoing tragedy in the country that gave me life. We are here because the world of sport is united and compact and we want to express gratitude to Italian friends and people, not just to the sports family, because Italy is with Ukraine. Without your support, we could not succeed,” said the pole vault legend, unable to hold back tears.

“It seemed like this war could never happen, but it did and we are not alone. I have never felt such solidarity.

“The entire Olympic movement is with Ukraine. We will never forget what you are doing. If we are together we will win.”

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