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Ukrainian Olympians mourn for Kiev riot victims

Ukraine's Olympic athletes in Sochi have expressed condolences to families of those killed during armed confrontations in Kiev

Disturbances in central Kiev ITAR-TASS/Yevgeny Maloletka

Disturbances in central Kiev

© ITAR-TASS/Yevgeny Maloletka

SOCHI, February 19. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine's Olympic athletes in Sochi have expressed condolences to families of those killed during armed confrontations in Kiev where on Tuesday, 24 died in clashes between protesters and police in the Ukrainian capital.

“We are shocked by the events that occurred yesterday in Kiev. We are thinking about our families and loved ones back home in Ukraine, and we are doing our best to honour them on the fields of play here in Sochi,” the athletes said on Ukraine’s national Olympic committee website on Wednesday.

“We also deeply mourn and express our sincere condolences on the death of our fellow Ukrainians. As Ukraine Olympians, we strongly believe in and base our lives on the main Olympic ideals – of peace, unity, friendship and fair play that unite people regardless of age, gender, race, political or religious preferences," the message said.

“We appeal for peace and mutual understanding to find a positive way forward for Ukraine. We believe in the wisdom and integrity of the Ukrainian people. We believe that together we can save our country and find a way forward.

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