Ukraine’s latest sporting hero says Manchester City and Everton fans helped to inspire the Paralympic medal haul that lifted his beleaguered nation. Cross-country skier Grygorii Vovchynskyi won an astonishing five medals - two gold, a silver and two bronze - in Beijing despite the anxiety over his family back home during the Russian invasion.
And he revealed how the emotional sight of City star Zinchenko embracing his countryman and Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko, with the backing of both sets of supporters, in the game at Goodison Park a fortnight ago gave him and his countrymen a huge lift. Vovchynskyi is a City fan since Zinchenko joined the club and watches as many games as he can - and he took a break from his pre-Games training camp in Italy to watch the Blues win on Merseyside.
The 33-year-old said that the City left back, and the other Ukraine international starring in the Premier League are performing a vital role in lifting morale and helping to focus the eyes of the world on the terrible conflict.
