Two Ukrainian team members quit Sochi Olympics in protest against bloodshed in Ukrain

07:05, 20.02.2014 1 min read

Ukrainian Alpine skier Bogdana Matsotska and her father and coach Oleg Matsotskyy announce they refuse further performance at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in protest against the Ukrainian authorities' action vis-à-vis anti-government protesters.

"As members of Ukraine's national Olympic team, we – Bogdana Matsotska and Oleh Matsotskyy – are extremely indignant at latest actions by President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who has drenched Ukrainians' last hopes in blood instead of resolving the conflict with Maidan [anti-government protesters] through negotiations (which we had hoped he would when we left for Sochi). This was the violation of the old principle of the Games – the Olympic Truce," Matsotskyy wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

"In solidarity with fighters on the Maidan barricades and 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," Matsotskyy wrote.