President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the winners and medalists of the Olympic Games and their coaches on Independence Day and presented them with state awards.
He thanked the Olympians for glorifying independence and proving the strength of our country.
“You certainly felt the support of millions of Ukrainians. We were not just cheering for you – for every one of you – our entire country, with all our hearts and minds, stood by you, and it felt as if we were competing alongside you, as one nation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President presented the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, IV class, to Olympic boxing champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak and the Order of Princess Olga, I class, to Olympic high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
The Head of State also honored Olympians with Orders of Merit, II and III classes, Orders of Princess Olga, II and III classes, and coaches of Ukrainian athletes with awards and honorary titles.
“Together, we are showing the world what our state is. Ukraine that fights. Ukraine that can endure pain and hardship, but that rises and continues to pursue its main goal. Ukraine that can take a punch. Ukraine that is capable of winning,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
At the end of the meeting, the Olympians handed the President a Paris 2024 poster signed by Ukrainian athletes and created by French illustrator Ugo Gattoni.
Boxer Oleksandr Usyk presented Volodymyr Zelenskyy with his WBC Heavyweight World Champion belt. The athlete won it in 2018 and regained it this May in a fight against Tyson Fury, becoming the first Absolute Heavyweight Champion of all four versions. This is a special belt made for this fight.
Today, during the Independence Day celebrations on Sophia Square in Kyiv, the Head of State also honored Oleksandr Usyk and two-time Olympic champion Olga Kharlan with the Orders of Freedom, and not long ago the President presented them with the National Legend of Ukraine awards.
