Since the invasion of Russia, quite a few Ukrainian athletes have taken advantage of the power of social networks with their many followers, venting their anger on the situation, spreading to the world what is happening in their country and demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin end the war.
One such, is the Ukrainian judoka Georgi Zentraya, who holds six medals at the World Championships (including gold in 2009) and four medals at the European Championships (including three gold), which caused a big uproar yesterday (Monday) in a story in which he holds a Kalashnikov rifle and recorded "I'm in Kiev and I'm going to the end."
"I'm fine and the family is fine, but the situation in Ukraine is very difficult and dangerous," Zantraya told Israel Today in an exclusive interview.
"I did not go to war, but I do not want people to come to our home. I am ready to defend my country."
Explained about the extraordinary picture he posted.
What reactions did you get to the picture with the rifle?
"I got a lot of responses from all over the world, some say I'm brave and will take care of myself, but there are also some who say I should not mess with it, but I'm here to do the right thing. They themselves are crazy, they do not understand what is going on here.
Do you hear the explosions from the war?
"We all hear and see explosions all the time, both day and night it is hard for us to sleep, but we will win."
Georgii Zantaraia foi as social reasons show that if they are compatriots in the fight against Russian invasion in their country, nest domingo, 27.https: //t.co/9g2G1OZTA4
- Portal Norte de Notícias (@nortedenoticias) February 28, 2022
How can all this end?
"I expect the Russian athletes to find out the truth and tell their president to stop. But that's not the case yet. They do not know what we have here, we already have many women and children who are dying, you can see in the videos how many civilian homes have been damaged, full of people leaving the house "Theirs and a large part will also have nowhere to go back."
Do you think the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Judo Federation (IJF) have acted correctly so far?
"I expect tough steps from the ijf towards the President of Russia."
Do you need help, maybe from the Israeli Judo Association?
"Now no, we have everything, but when it all ends we will need help to recover and we will also need help in judo. Many people write to me from Israel and I thank them very much for their support and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible."
Do you have a message to convey at the end?
"We need to end the war as soon as possible, you too have had wars and you understand us. I love Israel and the people there and thank everyone for their support."
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