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Chess legend Magnus Carlsen has vehemently opposed the potential reinstatement of Russia and Belarus into the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ahead of a crucial vote this weekend. The two countries were expelled from FIDE in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Carlsen, who was honored as the greatest player of all time at a FIDE gala in Budapest, used his platform to advocate against the readmission of Russia and Belarus. He cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need to maintain sanctions against the aggressor nations."In Garry's honor, I'm sure he would take the opportunity to advise against reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federation, so that is what I will do as well," Carlsen stated.Garry Kasparov, a renowned Russian grandmaster and outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, echoed Carlsen's sentiments. "Indeed I would, and do!" Kasparov wrote on social media.The proposed readmission of Russia and Belarus has sparked controversy within the chess community and beyond. Ukraine's sports minister, Matviy Bidny, praised Carlsen's stance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus while the war continues."Sanctions against Russia and Belarus should only be strengthened as long as the war continues, as dictatorial regimes are trying to legitimise the war against Ukraine by using sport and athletes," Bidny said.Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion, has consistently dominated the sport since 2013. His unwavering opposition to the readmission of Russia and Belarus underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for the chess community to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, a fencing legend, has dedicated her bronze medal in the women's sabre event at the Paris Olympics to her war-torn country. Despite missing out on the individual gold she had set her sights on, Kharlan's bronze was a testament to her resilience and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people.Kharlan, 33, staged a remarkable comeback from an 11-5 deficit to defeat South Korea's Choi Se-bin in front of a crowd that included her mother, sister, and nephew. Her father, however, was unable to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.The bronze medal marked Ukraine's first at the Paris Olympics and was a poignant moment for Kharlan, who has been an outspoken critic of Russia's invasion of her country. She has repeatedly used her platform to condemn the war and call for peace."It's really special," said a beaming Kharlan after her victory. "It's like infinity. It's special for my country. It's for the people of Ukraine, for defenders (soldiers), for athletes who couldn't come here because they were killed by Russia."Kharlan's bronze medal was a culmination of her unwavering determination and the sacrifices she has made since the war began. She has rarely been home, and when she did return, she had to seek shelter from Russian airstrikes."I've been at home five times probably for one week," said Kharlan. "It's all the sacrifices. And all the news, all the tragic moments that we had when Russia bombed and killed people. We all take it. So that's why it's tough."Despite the challenges, Kharlan has remained focused on her sport and used it as a platform to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine. Her bronze medal is a symbol of hope and resilience, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can prevail.

Ukrainian diver Oleksii Sereda's journey to the Tokyo Olympics was marked by the horrors of war. Amidst air alerts and shell bombings, he and his teammate Kiril Boliukh trained relentlessly in Kyiv, their determination fueled by a desire to represent their war-torn nation."We had a lot of troubles, problems," Sereda recounted. "With like light, for example. We don't have light in Ukraine, sometimes they turn that off."The constant threat of danger weighed heavily on their minds. "Shells are flying about our houses. Every single day we had like air alerts, we had to go downstairs, hide, then go for the training and always like that, always tired," he said.Despite the adversity, Sereda and Boliukh finished fifth in the men's synchronized 10-meter platform event. However, for Sereda, the focus extended beyond the sport."We're trying to message to all people, to show everyone that there is a war ... to get more help from abroad because we need weapons, we need military things. We are not fighting. We are just trying to defend our country," he emphasized.Sereda's father, a soldier in Mykolaiv, remained on the front lines, unable to leave the country like other men. The thoughts of his family and country weighed heavily on his performance."I did (a) mistake on the fifth dive - because of my mistake we lost third place. So I'm kind of sad," he admitted. "I was nervous when I was diving there ... We have war in our country. I was thinking about my father. I was thinking about what's going on in Ukraine ... for me it's a bad result."Despite the disappointment, Sereda remains determined to showcase his abilities in the individual 10-meter event. "I just want to show a great result, show what I can do," he said. "I want a medal of course but ... it's sports, unpredictable."Sereda's story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. Amidst the horrors of war, they continue to strive for excellence, using their platform to raise awareness and seek support for their embattled nation.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has cast a long shadow over the lives of its citizens, including its athletes. As the country's 143-strong contingent prepares for the Olympics in Paris, they carry the weight of their nation's struggles on their shoulders.The constant threat of missile attacks and air sirens has made training for the Games an arduous task. Electricity has become scarce, with power grids destroyed by the conflict. Despite these challenges, the athletes have persevered, determined to represent their country with honor.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed the athletes as "heroes" for their resilience. Teenaged diving sensation Oleksiy Sereda and slalom canoeist Viktoriia Us shared their experiences of training amidst the chaos."We had lots of troubles for preparation for this Olympics because there are always air alerts back home," said Sereda. "You have to go to a safe place and hide. That is why all our preparation in Ukraine was super hard."Viktoriia, who will make her third Olympic appearance, echoed Sereda's sentiments. "For me, this Olympics is not just about participation. This is super important for the people of Ukraine and soldiers protecting us," she said.Both athletes have had close calls with death. Sereda's house was hit by a shell, while Viktoriia's was struck by a missile. They worry for the safety of their families back home, especially their fathers who are serving as soldiers.Despite the trauma they have endured, Sereda and Viktoriia are determined to compete with their hearts and souls. They believe their presence at the Olympics is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people."We are here to show that Ukraine is ready to fight anywhere," said Sereda. "The world must see that Ukrainians are here and competing and everyone must remember about this horrible situation in Ukraine."

Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh has etched her name into the annals of track and field history by setting a new world record in the women's high jump at the Diamond League meet in Paris. With just three weeks to go before the Paris Olympics, Mahuchikh soared over the bar at an astonishing height of 2.10 meters, eclipsing the previous record of 2.09 meters set by Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova in 1987.Mahuchikh's record-breaking feat was a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing the horrors of war in her native Ukraine, she has remained focused on her athletic pursuits. Her journey to the top has been marked by countless sacrifices, including a six-day car journey to Belgrade in 2022 to compete in the World Indoor Championships.The 22-year-old Ukrainian has been in scintillating form this season, claiming world indoor silver in Glasgow in March. Her victory in Paris is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and it has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the favorites for the Olympic gold medal.Mahuchikh's record-setting jump was met with thunderous applause from the packed-out crowd at the Stade Charlety. She sprinted arms held aloft in triumph, embracing her coaching team in a moment of pure joy. "It was really incredible, even more so because I only jumped 2.07 at my second attempt, and it was already my personal best," she said.Mahuchikh's achievement has not only inspired her fellow Ukrainians but has also sent shockwaves through the world of track and field. Her record-breaking performance is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be realized.