Ukrainians Rebuild a Nation and Sports Legacy Amidst Tragedy, Echoing Historical Struggles for Freedom and Identity.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has not only disrupted the lives of millions but has also claimed the futures of countless athletes and coaches who once represented the nation on the global stage. With over 600 sports professionals reported killed since the onset of the invasion by Russian forces, the need for a robust response to this tragedy is paramount. Matviy Bidnyi, Ukraine’s Sports Minister, emphasizes that the goal is not merely to mourn the loss but to honor the memory of these individuals by building the nation they dreamed of and fought for.
The historical context of Ukrainian sports is deeply intertwined with its national identity, shaped significantly by the legacies of Soviet influence and the ongoing struggle for independence and self-determination. Bidnyi’s vision for a new approach to sports in Ukraine involves dismantling remnants of the Soviet totalitarian model and transitioning towards a European club-based system. This shift aims to foster self-governed sports clubs in every community, ensuring that all Ukrainians, regardless of their socio-economic background, have access to sports and physical activity.
The need for reform is urgent. The Soviet-era system has long stifled the potential of Ukrainian athletes, often prioritizing state interests over individual talent development. By drawing on the successful models of countries like France and Poland, Bidnyi seeks to create a more inclusive and dynamic sports environment. This is not just about improving performance in international competitions; it is about nurturing future generations and building a resilient sports culture that can thrive independently of past constraints.
The support from international partners, particularly from France, has been instrumental in this transformative process. The French model emphasizes sports science, talent development, and community engagement, providing a blueprint that Ukraine can adapt to its unique context. As Bidnyi points out, the collaboration with French sports authorities has opened avenues for knowledge exchange and resource sharing, vital for the rejuvenation of Ukrainian sports.
Athletics, a sport with a rich history of success for Ukraine, faces significant challenges in this new landscape. The president of the Ukrainian Athletics Federation, Olha Saladukha, has voiced concerns about the future of the sport, highlighting the need for substantial investment in youth programs. With athletics being a traditional medal-winning discipline for Ukraine, the potential decline in talent could jeopardize the nation’s competitive edge on the international stage.
The “Plich-o-plich (Shoulder to Shoulder): All-Ukrainian School Leagues,” initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, represents a critical step toward grassroots engagement in sports. This initiative aims to encourage schoolchildren to participate in various sports, fostering a culture of physical activity from an early age. The third season of this program is set to begin, providing an opportunity for young athletes to discover their talents and pursue their passions.
However, the physical infrastructure necessary for these ambitions has been severely compromised due to the ongoing conflict. Nearly 800 sports facilities, including training bases for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, have been targeted and damaged by Russian airstrikes. This destruction not only impacts current athletes but also poses a significant barrier to the development of future sports stars. In response, new legislation has been introduced to facilitate access to sports facilities, allowing state and municipal venues to be rented by the hour. This initiative aims to provide emerging sports clubs with the infrastructure they need to operate transparently and effectively.
The emotional weight of the conflict is felt deeply within the sports community. Bidnyi reflects on the human cost of the war, noting that the loss of 617 athletes and coaches is not merely a statistic but a profound tragedy that affects families and communities across Ukraine. Each name on the memorial serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the urgent need to strive for a better future—a future that embodies the dreams of those who have been lost.
The journey toward rebuilding Ukraine’s sports legacy is fraught with challenges, but the commitment to honor the fallen through progress and reform remains steadfast. As the nation grapples with the devastation of war, the vision for a vibrant, inclusive sports culture offers a beacon of hope. The determination to cultivate talent, invest in youth, and create a self-sustaining sports ecosystem represents not only a path toward recovery but also a reaffirmation of national identity and resilience.
With every step taken towards reform, Ukraine is not just reconstructing its sports infrastructure; it is actively participating in a broader narrative of resistance against oppression and the fight for self-determination. The echoes of history resonate through the present, as Ukrainians work tirelessly to forge a future where their athletes can thrive, unshackled from past legacies, and where the dreams of those lost are transformed into a living reality.
Ukraine’s sports minister Matviy Bidnyi has told AFP that despite Russian forces still occupying Ukrainian territory three years after they invaded he is focusing on helping build the country that more than 600 athletes and coaches killed in the conflict "dreamed of and died for".
One of the biggest building blocks towards achieving that goal is a reform which will further erase the legacy left by Ukraine’s former Soviet masters.
"We are on the brink of a major sports reform: dismantling the Soviet totalitarian system and introducing a European club-based model, drawing primarily on the experience of France (in elite sport) and Poland (in mass sport)," he told AFP in an interview by email.
Bidnyi said jettisoning another hangover from the Soviet era would be a liberating experience.
"We want self-governed sports clubs in every community, opening access to sport for all Ukrainians regardless of where they live or their financial situation," said Bidnyi.
"These clubs will be the places where young talents are discovered — athletes who may later excel at the highest levels of sport."
He said Ukrainian sport had received strong support from France.
"I am deeply grateful to our French colleagues for showing how their sports sector is organised, how much attention they pay to sports science and talent development — and for their strong support of Ukraine and Ukrainian sport."
One sport who will be hoping the changes lead to fresh talent coming through is athletics.
The president of the Ukrainian Athletics Federation, Olha Saladukha, expressed her fears to AFP at the world championships in Tokyo in September that Ukraine would have no-one to represent the country in the years to come unless there was a substantial investment in youth.
Athletics has traditionally been a medal winner for Ukraine — Saladukha herself was triple jump outdoor world champion in 2011 — but garnered just one medal in Tokyo and even that was tinged with disappointment as Olympic and defending world champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh had to settle for bronze in the high jump.
Bidnyi said he was working with the federation to implement "several projects to attract more people to the sport", with the emphasis on children.
– ‘Stay grounded’ –
Bidnyi, who has been in his post for two years, said athletics was already an "important component" in the "Plich-o-plich (Shoulder to Shoulder): All-Ukrainian School Leagues", a project initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "so that every schoolchild can try sports they enjoy".
The third season of that programme is set to get underway this month.
Of course, for the clubs to operate and for this new talent to be developed, venues such as gyms and stadia are required.
They have taken a pounding since Russian president Vladimir Putin launched the invasion.
According to Bidnyi the Russians have struck nearly 800 sports facilities, including more than 20 Olympic and Paralympic training bases — which has prompted new legislation to make up for the losses.
"Currently, our focus is on making basic sports infrastructure as accessible as possible," he said.
"Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that allows state and municipal sports facilities to be rented by the hour — mostly school gyms, small stadiums, swimming pools, and so on.
"This will help emerging sports clubs across the country rent the necessary infrastructure on transparent terms."
While sports stadia can eventually be rebuilt, there will be no second chance for the coaches and athletes killed in the conflict.
"The greatest loss is people," said Bidnyi, who claimed Russians had killed 617 Ukrainian athletes and coaches — "and this number continues to grow every day".
"These are someone’s sons and daughters, husbands and wives, parents and friends.
"Every day, when I enter the ministry, I look at the memorial and realise how much more we all have to do to build the Ukraine they dreamed of and died for.
"Reading their names helps you stay grounded and keep moving forward with determination."
pi/gj