The number of athletes was mainly increased by the participation of two Slovak teams. The Parachuteists also won the premiere start. Before leaving, they were also encouraged by the coach of the Slovak national hockey team Craig Ramsay and the president of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association (SZĽH) Miroslav Šatan.

“We told them to enjoy the games and they are heroes for us now. They only started a few years back and did a huge amount of work. We wished them, like our bronze boys, to cross their shadows and not be afraid to fight their favorites. ” Their participation means a lot to the hockey movement. In the future, we plan even greater integration between the hockey association and the paratroopers. ” TASR quotes Satan’s statement from the joint briefing of SOŠV and SPV.

The Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing have significantly overshadowed the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. SPV President Ján Riapoš reminded that the world Paralympic movement was established in 1948 as a movement for the involvement of people who suffered injuries after World War II. world war.

“Paralympism is very sensitive and attentive. We are close to the people who survived the war. We would like to monitor the support of the Ukrainian Paralympians and condemn the Russian attack. I believe that the world can learn from the sport in which we can shake hands after a fight. ” declared Riapoš.

The President of the SPV reiterated that his movement does not work in ideal conditions and still does not have a signed contract with the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic. “We have gone through many complications over the past period. We thank everyone who helped us on the Beijing mission. There is not a single professional athlete in our expedition. Our parachute team would have coconuts on the ice. We will be the only players whose players do not play professional competitions. Nevertheless, we are going for Slovakia. Of course, in a sporting spirit, ” Riapoš stressed.