"I love my Ukraine with all my heart. Under its banner, I received the highest honors," he wrote in Ukrainian on the social network.

"We will win!", Adds the former world record holder who had been quite discreet so far.

The champion was mandated by a letter from the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach to coordinate from Lausanne - IOC headquarters - humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

"My dear Ukrainians, the Olympic family is not indifferent to our pain. Like any Ukrainian, I can't sleep now. I defend our country with all the means at my disposal, using all my international connections," he said. he also writes on the social network.

On the third day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the first man to cross a bar 6 meters expressed his thanks for the messages of support from around the world.

"War must end, peace and humanity must prevail," he added.

Many Ukrainian athletes have mobilized against the Russian invasion of their country, some going so far as to take up arms.

© 2022 AFP