Every victory matters: stories of Ukrainian athletes living and competing during the war

Ukrainian athletes have always represented their homeland with dignity on the international stage, distinguished by their professionalism, strength of spirit and body, and unwavering will to win. In wartime, Ukraine's sporting achievements have gained special significance: our athletes strive tirelessly to ensure that the National Anthem of Ukraine is heard around the world and that the blue and yellow flag is seen by millions.

The successes of Ukrainian athletes are not only places on sports podiums but also vital messages to the world about the need to support Ukraine, reminders of the resilience of our people, and their desire for freedom and independence.

The stories you will find in this collection are accounts from Ukrainian athletes about their lives, challenges, and achievements during the war, told firsthand. These are stories of personal experiences, of helping fellow citizens, and of the unbreakable faith in a victorious future for Ukraine that our athletes carry to the world.

“Alexandra is an inspiration to all the girls, she proved that nothing is impossible”
14.09.2023
Mariya Paskalʹ
“Alexandra is an inspiration to all the girls, she proved that nothing is impossible”
We travelled for 5 days, and for those 5 days I cried like a beluga whale...
25.11.2022
Marta Fedina
"We travelled for 5 days, and for those 5 days I cried like a beluga whale..."
russian athletes wrote: Thats all for the good...
09.08.2022
Maryna Alexiyeva
"russian athletes wrote: 'That's all for the good...'"
On the second day of the war, I went to donate blood, and on the third day – to weave camouflage nets
30.01.2024
Oleg Reva
"On the second day of the war, I went to donate blood, and on the third day – to weave camouflage nets"
Dmytro Cherkasov: I really found myself in Armageddon
25.08.2022
Dmytro Cherkasov
Dmytro Cherkasov: "I really found myself in Armageddon"
We passed that place an hour before the shelling of Chernihiv
26.10.2023
Vitaly Goshkoderya
"We passed that place an hour before the shelling of Chernihiv"
European champion Stanislav Oliferchyk: We just burst into tears when we saw each other
19.07.2022
Stanislav Oliferchyk
European champion Stanislav Oliferchyk: "We just burst into tears when we saw each other"
Athlete Iryna Sitnikova: I had to teach myself not to cry during the performance
27.05.2022
Irina Sitnikova
Athlete Iryna Sitnikova: "I had to teach myself not to cry during the performance"
“When we ran out of the entrance, it hit the neighbouring house”
26.10.2023
Ivan Mochevynskyi
“When we ran out of the entrance, it hit the neighbouring house”
 Everyone supported us at the European Championships
28.03.2024
Maria Larina
"Everyone supported us at the European Championships"
Famous footballer Roman Zozulia: It is impossible to defeat such a people
13.06.2022
Roman Zozulya
Famous footballer Roman Zozulia: "It is impossible to defeat such a people"
Andrii Yarmolenko: Its impossible to take it without tears
18.05.2022
Andrey Yarmolenko
Andrii Yarmolenko: "It's impossible to take it without tears"
“My classmate, gymnast Katia Diachenko, and her father died. We sat at the same desk together”
02.10.2023
Oleksandra Keyda
“My classmate, gymnast Katia Diachenko, and her father died. We sat at the same desk together”
Famous football player Roman Yaremchuk: Around the house where my parents lived, everything was shot
19.05.2022
Roman Yaremchuk
Famous football player Roman Yaremchuk: "Around the house where my parents lived, everything was shot"
Well-known football player Taras Stepanenko: We were driven out of home twice, and you cant do anything
21.05.2022
Taras Stepanenko
Well-known football player Taras Stepanenko: "We were driven out of home twice, and you can't do anything"
The story of a young, but strong and unbreakable judoka Daryna Dolia from Dnipro
13.06.2024
Daryna Dolya
The story of a young, but strong and unbreakable judoka Daryna Dolia from Dnipro
Champion Nika Shurda: My father is strong - he will withstand everything!..
10.10.2022
Nika Shurda
Champion Nika Shurda: "My father is strong - he will withstand everything!.."
Overnight, 136 soldiers with sub-machine guns and grenade launchers passed by our house
15.09.2022
Yana Oleksandrivna Lebedeva
"Overnight, 136 soldiers with sub-machine guns and grenade launchers passed by our house"
Footballer Oleksandr Zinchenkos wife Vlada Sedan: I want to go home to tears!
16.06.2022
Vlada Sedan
Footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko's wife Vlada Sedan: "I want to go home to tears!"
Thanks to this war, we realised that we had underestimated Ukraine
06.07.2022
Julia Pyatova
"Thanks to this war, we realised that we had underestimated Ukraine"
Darijo Srna: I left everything I had both in Donetsk and Kyiv
19.08.2022
Dario Srna
Darijo Srna: "I left everything I had both in Donetsk and Kyiv"
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