A Long-Term Partnership: Slovakia Hosts Olympic Dreams for the Seventh Time
2026-06-14 17:15
The 36th international training camp of the Olympic Dreams project has concluded in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, bringing together judoka from Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic for two weeks of intensive preparation and international exchange.
Throughout the camp, athletes trained at the highest level of intensity, completing up to three training sessions per day. The programme included daily randori, strength and conditioning, technical drills on the tatami, and sparring sessions. Participants represented several age groups—from U13 and U15 athletes to cadets and juniors—for whom the camp served as an important stage of preparation for upcoming national and international competitions.
One of the highlights of the programme was a masterclass led by Japanese coach Deguchi Junya, who shared his expertise with the participants. Particular attention was devoted to kumikata (grip fighting), one of the most decisive elements of modern judo. For the Ukrainian athletes, it was not only an opportunity to refine their technical skills but also to experience the traditions of Japanese judo firsthand.
This training camp became the seventh Olympic Dreams camp held in Slovakia, making Slovakia the project's most frequent international host. Today, Slovakia represents one of the strongest examples of sustainable international cooperation that enables Ukrainian athletes to continue developing and competing at the highest level despite the challenges of wartime.
Traditionally, Olympic Dreams participants head directly from training camps to major international tournaments, where they consistently return with medals. In recent years, project athletes have won numerous medals at European Cups, European Open events, continental championships, and other prestigious international competitions. This year alone, Olympic Dreams athletes have claimed medals at European Cups in Poland, Slovakia, and Latvia, once again demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term, systematic preparation. These achievements clearly show that investing in young athletes delivers tangible results.
According to Anatoliy Boyko, initiator and patron of the Olympic Dreams project, the greatest achievement of the initiative is the network of long-term international partnerships established over the past four years:
“When we launched Olympic Dreams in the spring of 2022, our primary goal was to support Ukrainian athletes through a difficult period. Today, we can confidently say that the project has grown into a large-scale international platform supporting Ukrainian sport during wartime. But above all, what we value most are the lasting partnerships we have built together with friends and supporters around the world.”
Slovakia is one of the clearest examples of this cooperation. Thanks to the continued support of Slovak partners, young Ukrainian athletes are able to train in a safe environment, gain valuable international experience, and continue achieving success at prestigious competitions.
The Olympic Dreams team extends its sincere gratitude to Head Coach Jan Gregor and the entire JUDO DUKLA BANSKÁ BYSTRICA team for their outstanding organisation of the training camp, warm hospitality, and many years of unwavering support for Ukrainian athletes.
Since its launch in March 2022, Olympic Dreams has been implemented by “The Future for Children Charitable Foundation”. Over the past four years, the project has organised 36 international training camps across 14 countries, supporting athletes from 13 Olympic sports. During this period, project participants have won more than 1,300 medals at national and international competitions.
Today, Olympic Dreams continues to fulfil its core mission: preserving Ukraine's Olympic reserve, providing young athletes with safe conditions to train, and helping a new generation of Ukrainian athletes proudly represent Ukraine on the international stage despite the ongoing war.