Ukrainian Diver Declines Joint Photo with Russian Athletes at European Junior Championships as a Form of Protest
At the European Junior Diving Championships held in Athens, Ukrainian athlete Veronika Andraschuk publicly expressed her stance and protested against the presence of Russian competitors. She secured a bronze medal in her event but refused to participate in a joint photograph with Russian divers Margarita Kuvshinova and Anastasia Chistyakova, despite organizational requests. Immediately after the medal ceremony, the Ukrainian athlete deliberately left the podium and declined to pose for pictures with the Russian athletes, garnering praise from her compatriots and further emphasizing her position regarding the ongoing conflict. It is important to recall that following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, all Russian athletes were temporarily barred from international competitions. Some athletes were later permitted to compete as neutral participants, provided they did not support or promote the war. Previously, Ukrainian athletes also demonstrated their independence; for example, during a tennis match, a Ukrainian player shook hands with her Russian opponent after the game, an action that sparked widespread discussion and support among fans worldwide.