International Canoe Federation considers phrase "I am Ukrainian" signs of propaganda.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Ukrainian canoeist Anastasia Rybachok was banned from performing with the inscription “I am Ukrainian” on her boat.
As the athlete's partner company BGV Group reported on its Facebook page, the International Canoe Federation considered this to be propaganda, and therefore forced the Ukrainian to paint over part of the phrase.
“As the official partner of canoeist Anastasia Rybachok and simply as fans from Ukraine, our company is outraged by the situation that has developed at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The International Canoe Federation considered the inscription “I am Ukrainian” on Anastasia's boat to be propaganda.
The story with the boat and its design is very symbolic for the athlete. And the inscription “I am Ukrainian” was important for the entire team. Anastasia repeatedly noted this during the press conference in Zhitomir. Anastasia Rybachok developed the design of the image on the canoe herself, putting in the context of the extremely important self-identity and Ukrainian invincibility,” the statement says.
Anastasia herself also commented on the ban on placing the inscription “I am Ukrainian” on the boat.
“The International Olympic Committee prohibits any inscriptions related to war on boats. For example, we cannot write “Stop War”. They consider it propaganda. But the inscription “I am Ukrainian” is different, it indicates our belonging to Ukraine, this is important. This is, first of all, a symbol of faith in me and my capabilities. When creating the design for the canoe, I wanted to emphasize that I am from Ukraine and am incredibly proud of it,” Rybachok said.
It should be noted that Rybachok is a silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the canoe double 500 meters, where she won a medal together with Lyudmila Luzan. At the 2024 Games in Paris, Ukrainian women have already successfully qualified for the semi-finals, which will take place on Friday, August 9.
In addition, Rybachok will also compete in the 200-meter canoe single at the 2024 Olympics. It is in this discipline that Anastasia will compete on August 8 in a boat with the painted-over part of the phrase “I am Ukrainian”.
Ukraine is represented at the XXXIII Summer Olympics by 140 athletes who compete in 23 sports. Ukrainian athletes have already won seven awards at the 2024 Olympics: two gold, two silver and three bronze.
As of now, Ukraine occupies 19th place in the medal standings. The Games in Paris will last until August 11.