Klitschko brothers make no secret of their political preferences in Ukraine (12/26/04)

Klitschko brothers make no secret of their political preferences in Ukraine

by Stephen Bandera

KYIV - The crowd of over 100,000 Ukrainians went wild when Vladimir Klitschko took the stage in Kyiv's Independence Square. It was the third day of the "Orange Revolution," a nationwide protest movement against rigged presidential elections in Ukraine.

Mr. Klitschko was wearing a bright orange scarf and tie to show his support for Viktor Yushchenko, the front-running candidate who fell victim to widespread falsification and violations during the November 21 run-off election against the pro-government candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.

"Just as in sports, political battles are fought according to clearly defined rules. If an athlete breaks those rules, then he is disqualified and the results are annulled," Mr. Klitschko told the crowd.

He went on to refer to Mr. Yushchenko as "President Yushchenko" and the crowd went wild. Official election results had announced the other candidate was president. Mr. Klitschko's appearance provided a significant moral boost to protesters many of whom braved the cold to pitch more than 300 tents on the capital city's main street.

The heavyweight boxer joined Mr. Yushchenko on stage later that evening when the candidate appealed to the police and army to join the demonstration and defy orders to put an end to the protests.

Kyiv resident Oleh Vitvitsky, an avid Klitschko fan and protester who has not been at home for two weeks since the protests began, was surprised to see Mr. Klitschko appear before the protesters.

"I don't think Ukrainians expected the Klitschkos to get in the middle of these politics," Mr. Vitvitsky said, "Everyone knows that the brothers run businesses in Ukraine, and if Yanukovych wins, they might face obstacles."

The city was buzzing with the news that Mr. Klitschko appeared at the pro-Yushchenko rally. "Which one?" an elderly woman asked a man who had just shared the news. "I don't know, I think the younger one," the man replied.

World boxing champion Vitalii, who is five years older than his brother, also wanted to come to Ukraine, but was too busy preparing for his December 11 fight against Danny Williams in Las Vegas.

He did appear in television ads supporting Mr. Yushchenko in the last week of the campaign, and local newspapers reported that the elder Klitschko would step into the ring against Mr. Williams wearing orange and Mr. Yushchenko's campaign logo.

"I want to express my support to those defending their civil rights and freedom of choice and who are now on the streets of Ukraine participating in protest against falsification and supporting Viktor Yushchenko, who is the true president of Ukraine," reads an interview with Vitalii Klitschko on the Klitschko brothers' website, "I watch closely the events in Ukraine, and will only say this - my heart and my soul are with you ... I am confident that a victory in (the upcoming) fight will give you motivation to continue your struggle."

In an effort to help the protesters' cause, the Klitschkos enlisted the help of sports and music stars in Germany and the United States, who recorded messages of support to the Ukrainian people. The list includes Sting, Chris de Burg, Joe Cocker, Boris Becker and Franz Beckenbauer.

Beyond boxing and the ongoing bout for democracy, the Klitschkos are known for their humanitarian activities. They both hold Ph.Ds in sports sciences and philosophy, speak four languages and co-authored the best-seller "Our Fitness" in Germany. They established a special foundation, Sports - XXI Century, to promote healthy lifestyles and support athletic programs for young people and are official UNESCO spokesmen for the United Nations' "Education for Children in Need" program. In Ukraine, they are also involved in campaigns against drug use and for AIDS awareness, using their super-star status to deliver messages of social responsibility.

The two young men were born in the far east of the former USSR. Their parents, Wladimir, a retired colonel of the air force and helicopter pilot, and Nadezhda, traveled with their two sons across the Soviet Union before settling in Kyiv in 1985.

But there is no doubt that the two brothers consider themselves to be Ukrainian. And their supporters have no doubts either.

"They proved that they are true Ukrainians and have strengthened my faith in our ultimate victory," Mr. Vitvitsky, the young protester, said.

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