More members of the Ukrainian Olympics team have left the Sochi Winter Games in a sign of solidarity with a surge of violence in Ukraine that has left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
Around 20 Ukrainian athletes have left the Games since skier Bogdana Matsotska and her father and coach Oleg Matsotskyy left Sochi on Thursday, newspaper The Times reported.
International Olympics Committee spokesman Mark Adams confirmed that a number of Ukrainian athletes had withdrawn from the Olympics but declined to specify their names or numbers.
"I know that the National Olympic Committee themselves think that the best way to show some solidarity, and show in a small way what sport can do to help in reconciliation, is for the team to remain here," Adams said, Reuters reported.
Adams also said an earlier decision banning Ukrainian athletes from wearing black armbands in support of their country had been reached in agreement with Ukrainian officials.
Ukraine sent 44 athletes to the Sochi Games and has won one bronze medal in the 7.5-kilometer sprint biathlon.
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