It wasn't clear whether or not Ukrainian athletes would arrive at the Paralympics amid Russian attacks that began the last week of February. But they made it, and there were not one, not two, but three biathlon podium sweeps at the Beijing Paralympics: two in men's visually-impaired races (sprint and middle distance) and one in the women's middle-distance standing event.
"We would like to dedicate our results and medals to each and every Ukrainian and all the soldiers in the Ukrainian army who protect us," gold medalist Iryna Bui said to CNN. "With our performance, we represent the whole country and this is our battle, here." Ukraine finished second in the overall medal standings.
