Photo: Ukrainian high jump podium at the Diamond League in Paris

Within the framework of the EU Sports Forum held in Lille, France, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadym Huttsait met with the Minister of Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games of the French Republic Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.

Due to russia's military aggression, many Ukrainian athletes continue to prepare for important international competitions abroad, including in France. Vadym Huttsait thanked his French colleague for his support and assistance. He also informed Ms. Amélie Oudéa-Castéra about the losses suffered by Ukrainian sports due to the war.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the further development of Ukrainian-French cooperation, including the study of best practices in large-scale sporting events, mass and children's sports, state support for sports federations, approaches to financing sports, joining forces to maintain integrity in sports, etc.

Vadym Huttsait called on the interlocutor to continue to impose sanctions on the aggressor country in order to exclude russian and belarusian athletes from all international sports organizations and associations, as well as deprive them of the right to participate in international competitions.

The Minister also appealed to the French side to support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union. In turn, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra assured of further support for Ukrainian athletes, as well as readiness to consolidate efforts to continue the sanctions pressure on russia and belarus.