After war threatened to derail their preparation, these twins are on an Olympic ‘mission' to serve Ukraine

Ukrainian twins have overcome the challenges of training amid war to participate in the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Since the Russian invasion in 2022, the sisters, who won bronze in the Tokyo Games, have faced daily threats of violence. Training facilities near the Russian border have been targeted, damaging the pool and causing training interruptions. The twins have had to seek shelter during air raids. Despite these difficulties, the athletes are determined to represent their country and view it as a significant responsibility. They express disappointment over the participation of some Russian athletes due to the ban on Russia.