The Ukrainian Irini Merleni fled from the war zone in Kyiv and after a long and varied road via Poland, she is now on Swedish soil, together with her two children and mother.
- It was a very interesting and long journey here, but I am very happy that I and my family are safe now, she says to SVT and continues:
- It is a great tragedy for us.
They have killed our children, women, civilians, the elderly and soldiers.
They have destroyed our cities and our infrastructure.
We want an end to the war in Ukraine, we pray and hope for peace.
My heart weeps for my people and my country.
"Sport brothers"
For the wrestling association HSKT in Haparanda, it was obvious that they would extend a helping hand.
- We are a big family.
You know people everywhere around the globe, those who have traveled and participated on an international level.
This makes it difficult for us as an association, which has many international contacts, to just stand and watch, says chairman Håkan Snell.
- Sport brothers.
We can not just stand and watch people bomb.
We must try to help these people.
It's our duty, it's our friends.
We had a quick board meeting by phone and decided we were going to drive.
Irini Merleni has been named the world's best wrestler for three years in a row and won Olympic gold in Athens in 2004.