Sawt Falasteen - War with Russia weighs heavily on Ukrainian medal hope Doroshchuk

Doroshchuk and his 22 teammates will be competing in the third outdoor world championships since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with little sign of the conflict ending.

The 24-year-old has had to contend with two leg injuries this season but comes into Sunday's qualifying session with some good recent form, including winning at the Brussels Diamond League meet and then grabbing second in the finals in Zurich.

Doroshchuk, who was crowned European indoor champion earlier this year, has continued to be based in Ukraine despite the conflict and faces arduous journeys to compete abroad.

Sometimes his training in Kropyvnytskyi, in central Ukraine, has been disrupted by Russian bombardments.

He admits that keeping his focus is extremely tough.

"The weight of this situation is overwhelming," he told AFP by email.

"The conditions at the front are not improving.

"The occupiers are attempting to capture and occupy Ukraine, and my friends and relatives are currently there, doing everything they can to resist this invasion."

Doroshchuk, who was sixth in last year's Olympic final having taken bronze in the European championships, said the war had changed everyone irrevocably.

"None of us will be the same after the start of the full-scale invasion," he said.

"This change is evident in the most minor details.

"For instance, when I hear a passing motorcycle outside the window -- even while abroad -- I instinctively think it might be a drone.

"Most devastating are the losses we have suffered -- thousands of lives sacrificed for Ukraine's independence, taken by the actions of Russia."

Doroshchuk, who if he were to take gold would be Ukraine's third men's world champion and first since Bohdan Bondarenko won in Moscow in 2013, said one becomes wearily accustomed to the conflict.

"You eventually get used to everything, even this terrible reality," he said.

"However, each day you long for this nightmare to end.

"I'm referring not only to the relentless bombardments from various kinds of weapons, including rockets, drones, and artillery, but also to the war itself."

- 'Family issues' -

Doroshchuk, who at least can travel outside the country whereas many are stuck within the borders, deplores the toll it has taken on his compatriots.

"When we speak about war, we are talking about people -- about their lives, families, and homes.

"It involves hundreds, even thousands, of soldiers who sacrifice their lives so that we can continue to live."

Doroshchuk, who has not received one message of sympathy or support from his Russian rivals, says he does his best to focus on the competition itself when he competes.

"However, in the back of my mind, I keep in mind who I owe this to and why I am here; I can’t forget it," he said.

Doroshchuk says if there is a positive to be drawn from the traumatic events of the past three years it is that the team is "more united".

"Many members have faced significant family issues due to the war, and it's impossible to ignore the impact of this," he said.

"The support from the entire team is incredibly strong.

"Although we compete in individual events, this does not diminish our sense of teamwork.

"We have periods when we train together, support one another, and seek advice from more experienced athletes."

They will be cheering him on on Sunday and he hopes two days later in the final.

A medal would bring both him and the Ukrainians back home some succour but having had injuries to both his right and left legs this season he prays there is no recurrence.

"The most interesting and challenging part of an athlete’s career is the path to a medal," he said.

"If everything goes well, you have to show up, demonstrate your preparedness, and take it.

"But if preparation is like mine this year, you have to put in maximum effort, and at the same time, not make your health worse."

K.Hassan--SF-PST