Switzerland: two Olympic Dreams camps in the tenth country of the project with support from the Embassy
2025-07-30 20:53
Switzerland became the tenth country to join the Olympic Dreams international project of “The Future for Children” Charitable Foundation. For the fourth consecutive year, the initiative has been organizing training camps abroad for young Ukrainian athletes, creating safe conditions for their development and competition. This summer, the 19th and 20th camps took place simultaneously in the Swiss cities of Fiesch and Tenero.
The athletes were seen off to Switzerland by the "Path of Champions" project team, led by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Oleksii Nikitenko
In the town of Fiesch (canton of Valais), our judokas trained and had the opportunity to participate in a prestigious tournament initiated and organized by Sergei Aschwanden, Olympic medalist and president of the Swiss Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
The training sessions were held as part of the international Sergei Judo Camp, which brings together future champions from around the world.
Certificates of gratitude to Sergei Aschwanden, President of the Swiss Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Federation
In Tenero (Canton Ticino), young athletes tried out other sports besides judo, like karate, orienteering, wrestling, classic wrestling, and football. The National Youth Sports Centre in Tenero is known for its modern infrastructure and convenient facilities for different disciplines.
Ukrainian athletes together with coordinators of BASPO (Swiss Federal Office of Sport) sports programmes
Support from the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein
“We are delighted to have been able to support the organisation of two sports camps in Fiesch and Tenero. At a time when our cities are under attack, it is crucial that young Ukrainian athletes have a safe place to train, develop and socialise. Initiatives like these help to maintain their physical fitness and morale, as well as strengthening the friendship between Ukraine and Switzerland,” said Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
During an official meeting with the Olympic Dreams project team at the embassy, official certificates of gratitude were presented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for supporting the “Path of Champions” project, the Ukrainian Judo Federation and “The Future for Children” Charitable Foundation. The next steps in supporting athletes were outlined so that young Ukrainian champions could train safely, without interruption, and represent Ukraine with dignity on the international stage.
Anatoliy Boyko, initiator and patron of the Olympic Dreams project; Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Switzerland; Oleksandra Novikova, CEO of the Olympic Dreams project
Each camp is a step towards preserving the Olympic reserve
“Each of our camps clearly shows the need to continue efforts to preserve Ukraine's Olympic reserve. This is the main goal of the project, which we have been pursuing for the fourth year in a row. Creating safe training conditions amid ongoing attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities and destroyed sports infrastructure is paying off: our athletes have won over 1,100 medals at Ukrainian and international competitions. The Ukrainian national anthem is played and the blue and yellow flag is raised in honour of their victories,” stated the initiator and patron of the project, Anatoliy Boyko.
The camps concluded with a festive event at the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland, during which the participants' achievements were celebrated, partners were thanked, and the importance of sports diplomacy was once again emphasised.
The Olympic Dreams project continues to expand: ahead lie new countries, new opportunities and new victories for Ukrainian athletes on the international stage.