Around 20 Ukrainian athletes have reportedly departed the Winter Olympics following a surge of violence in Ukraine.

Skier Bogdana Matsotska and her coach Oleg Matsotskyy withdrew from Ukraine's Winter Olympic team yesterday in protest of events in their homeland.

Following this, more athletes have now made the decision to pull out ahead of the final events and closing ceremony in a sign of solidarity, according to The Times.

"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," International Olympic Committee member Mark Adams is quoted as saying by Reuters.

Ukraine sent 44 athletes to the Sochi Games.