Ukraine biathlete Grygorii Vovchynskyi
Grygorii Vovchynskyi is one of the most experienced members of the Ukraine team

The first gold medal of the Winter Paralympics in Beijing was won by Biathlete Grygorii Vovchynskyi.

The men's sprint standing event was held at the National Biathlon Centre.

The Ukrainian team traveled to China despite the Russian invasion of their country.

When the war began, it was difficult for me. I cried every day.

I didn't understand what happened.

What can I do? I will dedicate this race to the people of Ukraine.

It is important for our children to stop war.

In the long distance event, Vovchynskyi beat Marco Maier by 45.8 seconds to win the gold medal.

He said that before the race he had to do everything for Ukraine. I have to think about war, my country, and my president. I love the country of Ukraine.

I want life in Ukraine to move to the future, so I ran today.

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The silvers were for the Ukraine team-mates of Vovchynskyi.

In the women's sprint standing where China's Yujie emerged victorious, Liashenko won her fifth Games medal.

It was a second medal for the young man, who won the middle distance gold at the Olympics, after he finished 17 seconds behind the winner in the men's sprint seated event.

Valeriy Sushkevych, the Ukrainian Paralympics chief, said that the team's presence at the Games was a "symbol that Ukraine is alive" and that it was a "miracle" that they made it to the competition.

They were welcomed into the stadium for the opening ceremony.

The Russian committee was banned from competing.