Luzan on Usyk's Fight and Russian Athlete Bans: The World Still Doesn't Grasp What Russia Is.

Lyudmyla Luzan’s Take on War and Sports

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian athlete Lyudmyla Luzan, a two-time Olympian, has shared her perspective on Oleksandr Usyk’s bout and the controversy over allowing Russian and Belarusian competitors into international events. She stressed the need for the world to understand what Ukrainian sportspeople endure during wartime. According to Luzan, the global community has yet to truly comprehend the nature of Russia, and it continues to push an illusion of equal opportunity for all athletes—an approach she says does not reflect reality.

At 29 years old, Luzan recently won gold in the women’s canoe double 500-meter event alongside Anastasiia Rybachok, and she claimed three World Cup titles in 2026. She also set a world record in the women’s canoe single 200-meter sprint, clocking 43.23 seconds.

Life Under War

During the massive attack on Kyiv on May 24, Luzan was at the Olympic training base in Koncha-Zaspa. She emphasized that

“it’s hard to describe what Ukrainian athletes feel at such moments. Terrible things are happening—this is real evil, war is raging, and people are dying”

Notably, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been cleared to compete in rhythmic gymnastics, a decision that has sparked outrage among many Ukrainian competitors.

Luzan’s remarks highlight the harsh reality facing Ukrainian athletes amid the conflict. Her words convey the deep pain and suffering experienced not only by sports figures but by the entire Ukrainian nation. The ongoing debate over whether to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes into global competitions continues to stir controversy, raising questions about fairness and how Ukrainian athletes—who must train and compete under wartime conditions—are treated. These issues remain pressing for both the sports world and society at large.