Support for Ukraine at the Olympics: Swedes chant "Freedom", Italians "Forza Ucraina", Latvians say "Duzhe diakuiemo!"

From the first day of coverage at the XXV Winter Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026, Ukraine has been receiving daily words of support from locals and from fans who have travelled to Italy to cheer on their own teams.

This time Ukraine's quota has been nine journalists and three photographers. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine traditionally fits accredited Ukrainian journalists at the Games with the Ukrainian Olympic team's apparel. As a result, the team has been working at venues in the uniform of Ukraine's athletes. Most fans and volunteers assume we are part of the blue-and-yellow delegation, approaching with words of support, offering a handshake and, at times, reaching in for a hug.

This is the story of a typical day spent with a colleague, radio journalist Leonid Veselkov, at the XXV Winter Olympic Games. On the tram to the venue, some Italians came up to us, clasped our hands in a firm grip and broke into loud chants of "Forza, Ucraina" (Go, Ukraine).

Near Milan's Duomo cathedral, we met a small group of Latvians. The Baltic fans, wearing jackets with the word Latvia on them, turned towards us, raised their hands and said in Ukrainian, almost without an accent, "Duzhe diakuiemo!" ("Thank you very much!")

Twenty minutes later, we met a Swedish family dressed in their national colours. Two children spotted us and burst into chants of "Freedom", clapping in time, as the adults warmly joined in. The children looked to be about 12.

It was unexpected and highly emotional. The only regret is that at that moment I did not suggest taking a photo together with that big Swedish family. Ten minutes later, we met a group of Canadians celebrating their team's victory. They put their arms around our shoulders and chanted "Go, Ukraine".

Over the day, we received about 10 requests from volunteers and fans to swap Ukrainian pins. I remember that even during a tour of the Olympic village, Ukrainian pins were the most popular. At the opening ceremony at San Siro, only the Italians drew louder cheers than the Ukrainians.

It is clear to us that support for Ukraine from Italians, Canadians, Scandinavians and people from the Baltic states remains consistently strong, despite the talk of "war fatigue".

Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, many nations still see Ukraine as heroic. Yet challenges remain. An Italian cleaner in my apartment, to judge by our conversation, seemed openly Russophile and the exchange laid bare how Russian narratives take hold.

He asked how many Ukrainians now speak their native language. I replied 60-70%. He pressed again, asking whether I meant 60-70% or 16-17%. When I added that, whatever the language, 95% of Ukrainians hated Putin, he chose to end the conversation.

Maksym Rozenko

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