Ukrainian shuttlers Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr voiced the severe emotional and logistical burdens of war while competing at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi. Forced to train in Italy due to airstrikes at home, the players highlighted Ukrainian resilience on the global badminton stage.
NEW DELHI, India — Ukrainian shuttlers Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr voiced the profound personal and professional toll of the ongoing conflict in their homeland during the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Wednesday. Displaced from their domestic training infrastructure and living abroad in Italy, the athletes stated that their presence on court serves as a vital platform to showcase Ukrainian endurance and highlight the disruption facing athletes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Competing Under the Shadow of Conflict
For 22-year-old Polina Buhrova, a native of the northeastern city of Kharkiv, international tournament play has become inseparable from the realities of active warfare. Buhrova and her 21-year-old doubles partner, Yevheniia Kantemyr, took part in the women’s doubles draw at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, emphasizing that athletic performance now carries a wider symbolic duty.
Both players described the psychological weight of competing while family members remain in regions vulnerable to missile and drone strikes. Ukrainian shuttlers at the World Championships explained that maintaining focus on tactical preparation and physical performance requires immense discipline when daily communications from home center on air raid alarms and infrastructure strikes.
Relocated Training and Compromised Sports Infrastructure
The destruction of sports facilities and recurring power blackouts across Ukraine have made elite-level training virtually impossible within the country. Following the outbreak of hostilities, the Ukrainian national badminton squad was forced to relocate its primary training operations to Cinisello Balsamo in Italy.
Prior to their relocation, training sessions in Ukrainian cities routinely faced interruptions from incoming aerial bombardments, forcing players and coaching staff to abandon courts mid-session to seek cover in underground shelters. While the Italian facility offers physical safety and continuous court access, the prolonged separation from family networks and the absence of a permanent home base continue to pose logistical and mental hurdles for the traveling squad.
Debates Over Russian Athlete Reintegration
The Ukrainian shuttlers' comments arrive amid renewed friction across global sports administration regarding the status of Russian and Belarusian competitors. Governing bodies, including the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have implemented strict neutral athlete protocols, though policies remain contentious among national federations.
Ukrainian representatives have consistently advocated for comprehensive suspensions, expressing frustration over decisions that permit neutral participants while Ukrainian sporting infrastructure lies damaged and hundreds of athletes remain unable to train domestically. Kantemyr noted that international tournaments must not lose sight of the geopolitical realities that force one nation's athletes into exile while competitors from aggressor nations regain access to global competition pathways.
Impact on Global Sports and the Badminton Community
The accounts shared by the Ukrainian squad have resonated throughout the badminton fraternity in New Delhi, drawing support from rival coaches, match officials, and international spectators. For global fans and touring professionals, the Ukrainian players' testimonies provide a stark reminder of how geopolitical conflict directly affects the international athletic circuit:
Displaced Training Hubs: National teams are increasingly dependent on host federations across Europe to maintain Olympic and World Championship qualification standards.
Resource Disparities: Financial and infrastructure strains on Ukraine’s sports ministry require external sponsorship and solidarity funding from international federations to support travel and equipment expenses.
Athletic Advocacy: Ukrainian athletes continue to utilize post-match mixed zones and press briefings to keep global attention directed toward civilian hardships at home.
Official Sources
Tournament schedules, player records, and operational reports are administered and published by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Contextual statements regarding athlete eligibility criteria and national team support programs are maintained under guidelines established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Quote Section
"It's really hard, but that also gives me a lot of power and I'm really proud to represent my country as a fighter, and show how Ukraine is fighting, believing and growing," stated Polina Buhrova during a press briefing in New Delhi.
Her partner Yevheniia Kantemyr added: "We don't live there now because it's impossible to manage. It's not easy for us to be like this outside of the country without our families, but we're happy that we can represent Ukraine at a high level and make the country proud."
Why It Matters
The participation of Ukrainian athletes at major events like the BWF World Championships demonstrates the endurance of Ukraine's sporting program despite four years of active conflict. Their public statements keep international attention focused on the challenges confronting displaced competitors, shaping the broader global debate over fair competition standards during wartime.
Key Facts at a Glance
Event: BWF World Championships held in New Delhi, India.
Athletes Featured: Polina Buhrova (22) and Yevheniia Kantemyr (21), competing in women's doubles.
Training Base: Relocated from Ukraine to Italy due to destroyed infrastructure and missile attacks.
Governing Bodies: Regulated under tournament guidelines set by the Badminton World Federation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are Ukrainian badminton players training outside Ukraine?
Due to air strikes, damaged sporting infrastructure, and power outages caused by the war with Russia, elite athletes have relocated their training bases to Italy and other European countries for safety and stability.
Where is the 2026 BWF World Championships being hosted?
The tournament is taking place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India.
What message did the Ukrainian shuttlers share in New Delhi?
The shuttlers emphasized that competing internationally is a show of resilience, aiming to keep global awareness focused on Ukraine's situation while representing their country at the highest level of sport.
What is the current policy regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes in badminton?
International federations follow IOC-guided neutral athlete frameworks with strict criteria, though the policy continues to draw criticism from Ukrainian sports officials and competitors.
Source: Badminton World Federation (BWF), International Olympic Committee (IOC), Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Reuters Sports Desk.
