The National Olympic Committee and the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation condemned the position of the players who refused to play for the Ukrainian national volleyball team.

On Thursday, May 9, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine Vadym Huttsait and the President of the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation (UVU) Mykhailo Melnyk met at the Olympic House to discuss the issue of representing the Ukrainian national volleyball team in the official international competitions. Some players avoid playing for the Ukrainian national team and prefer to participate in competitions as part of private clubs.

Representing Ukraine at international competitions and wearing the blue and yellow colors on their uniforms is an honor and a privilege for every Ukrainian athlete.

A member of the Ukrainian national team embodies the best features of the nation: freedom, strength, and dignity. Especially when Ukraine is facing full-scale Russian aggression.

"The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the Volleyball Federation of Ukraine consider the position of the athletes unacceptable, as the priority is to play for the national team of Ukraine," the NOC said in a statement on Facebook.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at least six leaders of the Ukrainian national volleyball team refused to come to the national team training camp, including two of Ukraine's top scorers last season.

Mykhailo Melnyk said that several national team players blackmailed him over personnel decisions. However, there is no open conflict between the national team management and the volleyball players.

According to Melnyk, the head coach of the Ukrainian national volleyball team, Raul Lozano, is "in a trance" because of the refusal of the leaders of the "yellow and blue" team to come to the training camp.

Lozano himself, commenting on the situation in the national team, said he was shocked.

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Volleyball