Ukrainian paddlers push for World podium

DARTMOUTH, N.S. — Ukrainian paddlers at the world championships are grateful for the tranquility of the Dartmouth lakes – having temporarily left behind sirens and missiles flying overhead.

But for Pavlo Altukhov, a 26-yearold canoe racer and Olympian, the contrast of peacefulness in Canada and violence at home motivates him to push for podium performances.

“It’s better to be in a safe place, but it’s hard to realize that your own country is at war,” he said in an interview Saturday, as athletes launched their boats for practice sessions on Lake Banook.

The world sprint and para-canoe championships begin Wednesday, with up to 40,000 spectators anticipated to attend the five days of kayak and canoe competitions.

“I need to do what I do best, for my country. I need to paddle to raise up my country’s flag in other countries of the world,” said Altukhov.

“It’s not easy to train when there’s a war in your country,” he said. “There are always sirens, there are bombs that landed near my city.”

Canoe Kayak Canada partnered with the International Olympic Committee and a variety of organizations to help arrange about $250,000 in donations and support to bring and the Ukraine team to the championships and provide them housing.

Later this week, it’s expected that Altukhov teammate Liudmyla Luzan will be taking on the Canadian pair of Katie Vincent, an Olympic medallist, and Connor Fitzpatrick in the mixed, 500 metre canoe competition — one of the events where Canada is shooting for a podium finish.

The Ukraine duo said that they’re grateful for Canadian support, but on the water, they’ll hold nothing back.

“It is heart-warming to see the Ukraine flags and feel the warmth... but we’re here to beat everybody,” said Altukhov.