An athlete who will represent Ukraine at the Paralympic Games to be held in the French capital, Paris, this summer gave an interview to NHK and said, ``I want to convey to the world that the will of the Ukrainian people is unwavering,'' despite the continued military invasion by Russia. I want to,” he said of his determination.
Evheny Bohodayko (29) of Ukraine was born with severe disabilities in both arms and was selected to represent Ukraine in the motor dysfunction class for the men's swimming competition at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Daiko Boho has won a total of six gold medals in the past three Paralympic Games: London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo.
As this summer's Paris Games approach, we spoke online last month to Bohodaiko, who is practicing hard in Ukraine, where Russia's military invasion continues.
Regarding his current state of mind, Daiko Boho said, ``When the air raid alarm goes off, I have to stop practicing and evacuate, which is really difficult and distressing.However, I am determined to face the competition with all my might, give it my all, and achieve results.'' I hope so.''
Boho Daiko said that when he was a year old, immediately after Russia's military invasion began, many men volunteered to serve as soldiers, but due to his disability, he was unable to become a soldier and felt frustrated, thinking that he "couldn't contribute to the country."
Looking back on his feelings at the time, Boho Daiko said, ``It was painful to see people volunteering for the military, and I felt an emotion that cannot be expressed in words.Tears filled my eyes and I knew I had to do something.'' .
Daiko Boho wanted to do what he could even if he couldn't become a soldier, so he auctioned off the gold medal he won at the Tokyo Games and began volunteering to deliver relief supplies purchased with the proceeds to soldiers on the front lines.
Daiko Boho said, ``The gold medal from the Tokyo Games is still fresh in everyone's memory, so we decided to auction it after consulting with various parties.There were various opinions about selling the gold medal, but we still hope that this medal will help people.'' If it turned out to be the case, I had no regrets at all."
While some athletes are preparing abroad for the Paris Games, Bohodaiko decided to remain in wartime Ukraine in order to continue training while providing support within the country.
Speaking about the reason for her decision, Boho Daiko said, ``If I don't stay, who will? If everyone leaves the country, who are the soldiers fighting for?'' Ta.
It will soon be two years since Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine.
Commenting on the possibility that Ukraine may have to face the Paris Paralympic Games this August while still under war, he said, ``Right now, I'm proud to represent Ukraine and carry the Ukrainian flag on my back.The will of the Ukrainian people is unwavering.'' I want to tell the world that there is no such thing," he said of his determination.