By Nick Butler in Dostoevsky Hall at the Main Press Centre in Sochi

Lviv 2022 chief executive Sergej Gontcharov and bid leader Oleksandr Vilkul, along with Sergey Bubka, faced a variety of questions on the protests ©ITGFebruary 9 - Lviv 2022 have refused to concede any ground to suggestions that Ukraine's precarious political position will harm their chances of hosting the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.


Since protests first spilled onto the streets of Kyiv after President Viktor Yanukovych opted to pursue an "association agreement" with Russia rather than closer ties with the European Union, Lviv 2022 have tried to downplay fears that it would harm their bid because, they claim, the people remain united over the idea of an Olympic Games.

After further deterioration over the last month following the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, as well as the introduction and lifting of a bill banning public protests, a more head-on response was perhaps expected.

But Lviv officials continue to play down the significance of the protests in terms of their bid.

"The Olympics and sport is above any politics," said bid leader, and Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Oleksandr Vilkul..

"Ukraine will resolve all its political issues.

"We will get out of this situation more strongly and we will be brought together by it."

Protesters of all ages and backgrounds continue to flock to the streets of Ukraine ©Getty ImagesProtesters of all ages and backgrounds continue to flock to the streets of Ukraine
©Getty Images


Over the course of an unrelenting bombardment of questions on the matter, Vilkul also denied any prospect of the bid being abandoned due to the protests and insisted that, despite Azarov's resignation, the Ukrainian Government continues to function as normal.

Although he admitted that hard work is required to, from he and his Government colleagues, to resolve the situation, he also dismissed the notion that this work will detract from his role as bid leader.

"Lviv 2022 is one of the priorities of the Government and our objective is to be qualified for the shortlist of candidates," he said.

"Our next goal is to win, and hold a very good Olympicc Games which will act as a catalyst for Ukraine during the decades to come."

The Lviv delegation were speaking here as they - along with rival bid cities Almaty, Beijing, Krakow and Oslo - attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games as "official observers".

Vilkul was speaking alongside Sports Minister Ravil Safiulin, Lviv 2022 chief executive Sergiy Gontharov, and Ukraine's National Olympic Committee President - and world pole vault record holder - Sergey Bubka.

Bubka, a member of the IOC's ruling Executive Board, was fiercely questioned that IOC members would be put off voting for Lviv due to the political situation.

Although he did not deal with this head on, he insisted that "Ukraine is a young, independent country and sport can bring people together.

"I know that our nation is really behind our Olympians and I am confident about a bright future for our country," he added.

Sergey Bubka will need to use all his influence with his IOC colleagues if he is to convince them of the merits of Lviv 2022 ©AFP/Getty ImagesSergey Bubka will need to use all his influence with his IOC colleagues if he is to convince them of the merits of Lviv 2022 ©AFP/Getty Images


Lviv began their presentation by presenting the many merits and reasons for their bid

The Games would raise the profile of the country, rather like co-hosting the 2012 European Football Championships did, and would provide an opportunity for sporting development particularly in the winter disciplines, they claim.

Beyond the realm of sport wider economic benefits were highlighted with the Lviv Deputy Mayor Andrii Moskalenko describing the city as the "best place to live, work and fall in love", but also as somewhere which is in "need of a jump" in terms of investment. .

The Lviv logo, unveiled last month, was also remarked upon as something that hails the diversity and welcoming nature of the bid.

It is hoped that Lviv 2022 would allow more athletes to follow in the footsteps Vita Semerenko and succeed on the winter stage ©Getty ImagesIt is hoped that Lviv 2022 would allow more athletes to follow in the footsteps of Vita Semerenko, who won biathlon bronze here today, and succeed on the winter stage ©Getty Images


But, despite all of these positives, the performance conjured memories of Tokyo 2020's insistence throughout the IOC Session in Buenos Aires that the Fukushima nuclear spill situation was "under control" and irrelevant to their bid. 

On that occasion they were proved right as they ultimately won the vote but, in relation to Lviv, it is hard to see them enjoy more success unless they employ a more head on and honest approach to the current crisis.