Glamour at the expense of dignity”: Mykola Tomenko sharply criticized Ukrainian sports in wartime

This is not about failures on the sports field but about moral losses – indifference to the war, a decline in patriotism, and contempt for the national team, which some famous athletes demonstrate.

“This material is not just about another unfortunate defeat of the Ukrainian national football team, but reflects a disturbing trend of the disdainful attitude of the so-called stars towards performances for their team,” Tomenko believes.

Are personal profits more important than the interests of the state?

According to Tomenko, attention to athletes is often focused on their luxurious lifestyle abroad, new cars, stylish partners, and elite vacations. Instead, their active civic position during the war, assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or participation in volunteer projects are secondary topics and sometimes even taboo.

“The constant mention of the war during international competitions, as well as the participation in volunteer initiatives of athletes such as Elina Svitolina, Dmytro Pidruchny, and Vladyslav Geraskevych, is rather an exception to the rule,” the politician noted.

The false neutrality of sports

Tomenko is particularly harsh on the position of “sport outside politics,” which, in his opinion, is nothing more than a form of betrayal:

“Sport is also an arena of struggle for our freedom and independence, and masking it under the pseudo-Olympic phrase “sport outside war” is simply an evasion of responsibility,” he noted.

He recalled that many exceptional athletes left Ukraine at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion and now work in international organizations, avoiding public statements or participation in pro-Ukrainian initiatives.

Silence on doping and betrayal

Tomenko also raised the issue of conflict situations related to the change of citizenship by some athletes, in particular Ilya Kovtun and Oleg Plotnytsky, who, in his opinion, chose a comfortable life abroad over serving under the blue-yellow flag.

“The choice of commercial interests and the desire to earn money have become increasingly widespread, overshadowing the prestige of warring Ukraine and patriotism,” he emphasizes.

In addition, Tomenko notes that doping scandals often receive inadequate responses from sports leaders.

It is time to restore respect for the dignity

According to Mykola Tomenko, the first step to change is an honest assessment of the situation and the rejection of the cult of a glossy life. He calls on society to shift the media’s focus to sports patriotism and to consider participation in the national team a sign of honor, not a formality.

“It’s time to openly speak out about the shameful state of affairs in our sport!”

Tomenko emphasizes that post-war Ukraine has the right to expect from its athletes not only success but also a demonstration of dignity.