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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames in Kyiv

Ukraine athletes warned to ignore Russian provocation at Olympics

The Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan
The Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan was expelled from the world championship last year for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent. Photograph: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

The acting sports minister of Ukraine, Matviy Bidnyi, has told his country’s athletes to keep a “cold head” and pay no attention to any provocation from their Russian counterparts at the Olympic Games this summer.

Speaking to the Guardian at the ministry of youth and sports in Kyiv, Bidnyi predicted that Russia will use its representatives in Paris as part of its propaganda operation and explained that recommendations have been drawn up to help the Ukraine team to avoid becoming embroiled in controversy.

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