by Larry Eder
Sopot, Poland’s Ergo Stadium
UKRAINE: Ukrainian Athletics Federation (FLAU) addressed the World Athletics community. The statement says among other: “In a couple of days we will be visiting the World Athletic Championship in, Poland, a country which has common border with Ukraine. We appeal to you with a request to use your influence on the government of your country and NGOs to prevent the escalation of the conflict and maintain peace in Ukraine and worldwide.”
(Editor’s note: As I sit in my hotel room in Gydnia, the 38 TV stations that I have access to, in French, German, Russian, Polish and Lithuanian, all are focused on the Ukraine Crisis. I have to admit, much better presented and seemingly accurate than CNN. There is also a fascinating station, Russia Today, RT, which is available in US as well. Think if Fox News in the U.S. became a mouthpiece for the Russian Federation. Amazingly slanted stories on US, some with good points to make, but the coverage of Ukraine is fascinating.
This morning, we saw news of 10,000 supporters of new government of Ukraine and 2,000 supporters of Russian involvement were separated in square in Donetsk. Nearby, 200 Russian supporters raised flag on government building. Remember that less than three weeks ago, Renaud Lavillenie set a new WR in the Donetsk hosted Samsung Pole Vault Stars meeting.)
