Tears, Defiance As Ukraine Paralympics Team Honour Country's Fallen

Ukrainian Winter Paralympians wept and pumped their fists in the air in defiance against Russia's invasion of their homeland during a moment's silence at the Athletes' Village on Thursday. On day six of the Beijing Winter Paralympics the team held a solemn ceremony to call for peace and honour their fallen countrymen and women, during a break from training commitments as well as cross-country skiing and biathlon races. The United Nations estimates about 2.2 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country, calling it Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.

In an act of solidarity, a 30-strong contingent of athletes and team staff raised a banner reading "peace for all" as they gathered in front of rows of flags of the 46 nations and territories competing at the Games in the Chinese capital.

Female athletes wore wreaths of sunflowers and blue and yellow ribbons -- Ukraine's colours -- in their hair.

With the gold, silver and bronze medals he won this week strung around his neck, Grygorii Vovchynskyi, 33, had tears welling up in his eyes as he made an impassioned call for peace.

"I love Ukraine," the biathlete and cross-country skier said.

He condemned Russia's air strike on a children's and maternity hospital in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol which killed at least three people, including a young girl.

More than 1,200 civilians have died in that city alone, according to the mayor.

"They are bombing our children and women, I can't believe it," Vovchynskyi said, his voice wavering.

"It must be stopped now."

Head coach Andriy Nesterenko, who hails from the heavily bombed city of Kharkiv, along with seven other team members, said it will be impossible for them to go home.

Much of the city has