In light of Russian war on Ukraine, this special edition episode is different than our normal episodes. In an effort to elevate Ukranian voices and the connection between sports and politics, we speak with three elite Ukrainian athletes: Valentina Molchanets (Professional Triathlete and European Champion, Aquathlon, U23), Vita Oleksiuk (Paralympian, Currently #5 in World Paratriathlon ranking, 10th place Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games), and Olena Kryvystka (3X Olympian, 3x World Championships Bronze Medalist). We highlight the realities of the war in Ukraine and the messages they want the world to hear.

Experts interviewed: Dr. Emily, Channell Justice (Director, Temerty Contemporary Ukraine Program, Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University) and Yuriy Sak (Ukrainian, Ministry of Defense, Communications).

RESOURCES TO TAKE ACTION:

Courtesy of Dr. Emily, Channell Justice (Director, Temerty Contemporary Ukraine Program, Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University), ALL RESOURCES OUTLINED HERE: https://huri.harvard.edu/russia-ukraine-war

Calling out a few links that could be particularly useful

-Comprehensive list of ways foreigners can help Ukraine (compiled by Global Shapers Community (born out of World Economic Forum) and supported by Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine): https://supportukrainenow.org/

-Donate to The Kyiv Independent to support Ukrainian English-language journalism: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kyivindependent-launch or https://www.patreon.com/kyivindependent

-Petition to ask NATO to close Ukrainian airspace/create a no-fly zone: https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/people-around-the-world-ask-nato-to-close-the-airspace-over-ukraine

-Follow these Twitter accounts for news: @KyivIndependent, @NewVoiceUkraine, @KyivPost

-Contact your congressional representatives to demand they stand with Ukraine: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stand-with-ukraine

This episode was a true team effort. Thank you Roman Korol (Coach, Ukranian National Paratriathlon team), for making our speaking with Valentyna and Vita possible, to high school friend, Sasha Kamenetska for working with your family and friends to help us find a Ukranian translator, to Anna Synakh for making this episode possible in Ukranian, to classmate Ilya Timtchenko (Head of Ukraine, REDD Intelligence) and classmate and friend, Grace Stone for your English voiceover for Vita.

Sources Used in this episode

-TIME's YouTube, 'Ukrainian Paralympians Protest Russian Invasion'

-WION's YouTube, 'Amid Russian invasion, Ukrainian athletes make it Beijing for winter Paralympics'

-Paralympic Games' YouTube, 'Andrew Parsons' Beijing 2022 Opening Statement | Paralympic Games'

-NBC Sports' YouTube, 'Ukrainian athletes deliver powerful Opening Ceremony moments | NBC Sports'

-NBC Sports' YouTube, 'Ukrainians SWEEP PODIUM in emotional Para biathlon finish | NBC Sports'

-Paralympic Games' YouTube, '🇺🇦 Ukraine's Grygorii Vovchynskyi celebrates victory after Paralympic GOLD | Paralympic Games'

-Paralympic Games' YouTube, '🇺🇦 Ukraine's Oksana Shyshkova Incredible Gold Medal Finish! | Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games'