For the last three months, we’ve watched from afar as bombs crater buildings, tanks trample fields, and families flee from their homes in Ukraine. And once again we’ve been confronted with the question: why does sport matter when people are literally fighting for their lives?

Valentyna Veretska has an answer. The Ukrainian marathoner fled the country with her 11 year-old daughter upon hearing explosions on the morning of February 22. She won the Jerusalem Marathon just a month later. Her story behind that one line on a race result reveals that sport can play a role in our lives that maybe we don’t even fully understand.

We’ll let Valentyna explain. And if you feel moved, please donate to the World Central Kitchen in her name. We’ll be giving her medal from the race to a donor via our Discord.

Outspoken is a thereabouts production. Produced and edited by Abigail Levene, & Angus Morton. Sound design and mix by Ben Cranell. Executive producers Isaac Karsen & Angus Morton. Music by the enigmatic Builders Tea.

Join our community over at www.thereabouts.ghost.io

Music: @_builderstea
thereabouts: @hereorthereabouts
Abby: @aplevene
Gus: @thatisgus

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