Polish medalist under fire. Ukrainian activists outraged
Wladimir Semirunnij won silver for Poland during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The player’s success sparked criticism from some Ukrainians.
Vladimir Semirunni became the Olympic vice-champion during the ongoing Winter Games in Italy. In his start over a distance of 10,000 m, the Pole clearly defeated the Dutchman Stijn van de Bunt from the Netherlands. The time of 12:39.08 allowed him to win the silver medal.
After the results of the Olympic competition were announced, Vladimir Semirunniy was showered with congratulations. The 23-year-old’s success has not gone unnoticed by, among others, Donald Tusk, Karol Nawrocki or the head of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz.
Vladimir Semirunniy with silver in Winter Olympics 2026. Ukrainians are outraged
However, as it turns out, not everyone is thrilled that the skater is competing in the red and white colors. The creator of the Euromaidan Warszawa profile stated that “in the context of an athlete, you have to tell the whole truth.”
“Vladimir Semirunniy is today presented as a Polish hero – in 2023 he was the Master of Sports of the International Class in Russia. In 2019, he illegally crossed the border with Ukraine, staying in occupied Crimea. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he trained and competed under Russian colors,” we read in an entry on social media.
Then the author of the entry added that the athlete would come to Poland only in 2023. “A dozen or so months were enough to transform from a representative of the aggressor state into a ‘Polish’ medalist,” he said.
The post went on to state that “at the same time, Ukrainian athletes are dying because of Russian aggression and their careers are ending not because of injuries, but because of bombs.” He mentioned, among others: about the story of Władysław Heraszkewycz, who was disqualified for the images of war victims on his helmet.
Vladimir Semirunniy under fire. Ukrainian activists criticize
A Ukrainian activist spoke in a similar tone Natalia Panchenko. “In 2019, you are going to occupied Crimea.
In 2023, you proudly represent criminal Russia. And then suddenly – snap – in 2025 you quickly get Polish citizenship, so that in 2026 you can go to the Olympics as a “Pole of flesh and blood” – said the activist. “You win a medal and suddenly everyone only sees the puck. As if your previous decisions had magically evaporated,” she added.
Vladimir Semirunniy has repeatedly strongly condemned the actions of Vladimir Putin and the war he caused in Ukraine. He emphasized that he did not identify with the Kremlin’s policy.
