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Paris mayor honors Ukrainian athletes with Grand Vermeil Medal
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STORY: ::August 1, 2024 ::Two Ukrainian athletes receive Paris' highest honor, the Grand Vermeil Medal ::Anne Hidalgo/Paris mayor “I bestow upon you, in front of your peers, in the name of all Ukrainian athletes, the medal of the city of Paris, the Grand Vermeil of the city of Paris, the highest distinction that the city - the city of liberty, of human rights, a city committed to stand beside you - could award you with pride. With much love, I award you this medal, Anastasiya.” “The Grand Vermeil medal of the city of Paris, for you, our Ukrainian hero athletes, who are participating in the Olympic Games in Paris, and who are making history. Thank you.” ::Paris, France Anastasiya Kozhenkova/Ukrainian Olympic rower “When there is a war, I know that there are many athletes who do not compete, and how many athletes have died? And the fact that we are competing here now, trying to fight for everyone, amidst what is happening now in the country, what kind of emotions do we feel? Honestly, I think we are already winners.” Hidalgo has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine in its 29-month-old conflict with Russia, having visited Kyiv and voiced her opposition to the participation of Russian athletes in the Paris Games. About 15 Ukrainian athletes attended the medal ceremony at the Paris City Hall on Thursday, at the grand Salon des Arcades hall of the neo-Renaissance building. Ukraine sent 140 athletes to the Olympics, and the team have so far won a silver and a bronze medal, in shooting and fencing respectively.
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