– In the course of ten days, I found out that I could not do anything with a rifle, says Mykhajlo Romantsjuk to news and SVT. On Tuesday, he swam for Ukraine’s honor at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest. And Romantsjuk showed tremendous perseverance. During the last 50 meters in the men’s 800 meters, the 25-year-old lost speed to his competitors, but managed to claw his way to bronze and his first World Cup medal in the distance. – I’m so happy to be on the podium. It has been the toughest time of my life, says Romantsjuk. TOUCHED: Mykhajlo Romantsjuk after the World Cup bronze in Hungary on Tuesday. Photo: ANTONIO BRONIC / Reuters Norway’s swimming hope, Henrik Christiansen, has known the Ukrainian for ten years. – I think it’s incredibly big. It is completely inconceivable to get to know his situation, Christiansen says to news. – Completely sick that it will happen The father of Romantsjuk has become part of the military in Ukraine. The swimmer himself has long been open about both this and the war on Instagram. “You have always been and will always be a great role model for me. Proud of you, Dad. PS dad is fine ยป, wrote Romantsjuk. IN THE WAR: Mykhajlo Romantsjuk’s father fights for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Photo: @misha_romanchuk / Screenshot / Instagram – I got to see the start of the war with my own eyes and it is still going on. When the war started, I had to make a decision whether to go to war or to continue swimming, says the Ukrainian swimmer. He says that national pools he used to train in at home in Ukraine have been bombed. CNN has also written about the bombing and shows pictures of a facility in ruins. – You can not relate to this. Whether you say you understand that it is heavy, you do not. It is completely sick in 2022 that something like this will happen, Christiansen says. JOY: Romantsjuk and Christiansen after the youth European Championships in 2014. The choice was still to continue investing in a swimming talent he could not give up. – For me, it is better to continue with the training, represent my country and tell the world how the situation is in Ukraine, says Romantsjuk. Gives his message on the biggest stage With the help of the German Swimming Federation, the Ukrainian has had the opportunity to fine-tune his form for the World Cup which is now taking place in Hungary. – This medal goes to all Ukrainians, my coach and the German Swimming Federation. They have taken me into the group, so thank you very much to them. Photo: ANTONIO BRONIC / Reuters Christiansen himself failed to reach the final of the 800 meters freestyle. From the sidelines, he cheered on his Ukrainian friend. He has no doubt that Romantsjuk has made the right choice. – It is the best way he can fight for Ukraine, their rights and get support. He shows himself on the absolute biggest stage, which is here in the World Cup. – That he got such a good 800 meters now, I really treat him, I also look forward to swimming against him in 1500 meters, Christiansen says. American Robert Finke took the gold, while German Florian Wellbrock, with whom Romantsjuk has trained after the war, took silver.
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The training pool was bombed – hailed by his Norwegian friend for achievement – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
