TOKYO — In American sports terms, the Paralympians of Ukraine constitute a small-market marvel, the Slavic equivalent of the Oakland Athletics. At the Tokyo Paralympics, which ended Sunday, the Ukrainians finished fifth in the overall medal standings with 98, just six fewer than the United States. Each of the top four countries — China, Britain, Russia and the United States — had more than 220 athletes in Tokyo, while Ukraine brought 139. “It’s a small country clearly punching above its weight,” said Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee’s lead spokesman. The success has not been matched by Ukraine’s Olympians, who were 16th in the Tokyo overall medal standings last month.

Source: International New York Times September 06, 2021 03:56 UTC