Master of Sport International Class in rowing and active soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Larisa Zhalinskaya addressed the European public, telling about corruption in Ukrainian sport and the reasons why she was forced to leave the country.
The athlete’s appeal:
‘I am Larisa Zhalinskaya, master of sports international class in rowing, from 2011 to 2024 – athlete of the national team of Ukraine. Multiple champion of Ukraine.
Took 3rd place at the World Rowing Indoor Championships 2021. Participant of the 2018 World Championships in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), European Championships in 2012 (Varese, Italy) and 2017 (Brandenburg, Germany).
In 2023 I became 4-time winner of the Ukrainian Championship and 3-time winner of the Ukrainian Cup, in 2024 3-time winner of the Ukrainian Cup and 3-time winner of the Ukrainian Championship.
In addition, I am a current member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, I left Ukraine for the following reasons, which are in my video. I refuse to serve in the Ukrainian army and oppose corruption in sport. The Ukrainian government is using sport in the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Please watch my story about this. I want to tell the truth to the European public!’
