Mayor of Kiev: "As a former fighter, it is the biggest mistake to say that size and power are everything"
The mayor of Kiev and former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko gave an interview to Men's Health magazine where he talks about the invasion of Ukraine, the boxing lessons and the consequences that the Russian invasion will have for everyone.
"As a former fighter, it's the biggest mistake to say that size and power are everything. In battle, much more important is the spirit and the will to win," says Klitschko.
At the age of 51, the mayor of the city of Kiev won 15 heavyweights in boxing championship fights and managed to successfully defend his titles 12 times. Nothing could have prepared him for the invasion of the capital of Ukraine on February 24 last year. With the war away from the capital of Ukraine, great atrocities have been happening, as happened in Bucha, and where the war seems to be to last, as is the case with Donbas.
Klitschko managed to build a unique sports career. Now, the best athletes in Ukraine are defending their country with everything they can, many of them giving their lives to protect their country.
"Ukraine will not forgive anyone. Ukraine will not forget anyone. Their memory will be eternal. If we remember them, as long as their memory lives, they will be alive in our hearts. The pilots do not die, they take off to the sky and do not return," Klitschko said in a brief speech.
"It's part of my job to talk to families who lose their children and husbands, and thank them for raising their family in such a patriotic way," he begins by revealing in an interview with the publication.
"I learned that, as in sports, it is very important to have the will to win. It is very important to have good people around you and have discipline. You need teamwork for an adequate result. In sports you have clear rules. If you break the rules, you will be disqualified, but in this war, there are no rules," he adds.
"We are very surprised how Russian athletes support the invasion, support the war against Ukraine. The Russian people see this a lot. The world athletic and Olympic community is always for peace. It has always been by clear rules, and if the Russians break the rules, they should be disqualified,” he says about the disqualification of Russian teams from participation in various sports.
"You can't be neutral. Now, you are in favour of war or against war. Right now, you are in favour of peace or against peace. At this moment, you are in favour of the invasion or against the invasion," he concludes.
