For the fourth consecutive year, the Olympic Dreams project of the “The Future to Children” Charitable Foundation has been implemented in Ukraine, supporting Ukrainian sport amid the conditions of war. Its key mission is to preserve and develop the country’s Olympic reserve, ensure uninterrupted athletic training in a safe environment, and provide international training experience so that Ukrainian athletes can represent the country with dignity on the world stage.
Over four years of development, the project has expanded significantly — not only geographically, but also in terms of the level of athletes involved. “Today, Olympic Dreams brings together not only young athletes from Ukraine’s Olympic reserve, but also active professional athletes from the National Team. Notably, during the project’s implementation, many participants have completed the full journey of athletic development — from cadets and juniors to professional, Olympic-level athletes,” said Anatoliy Boyko, philanthropist and co-founder of the Olympic Dreams project.
Key Achievements of 2025
The year 2025 became one of the most dynamic and productive in the history of the project. Among the key milestones:
the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine aimed at promoting and developing the multisport project “Path of Champions". Within the framework of this partnership, a series of international camps for young athletes from various regions of Ukraine were organized throughout the year in Switzerland and France;
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Oleksiy Nikitenko, CEO of the Olympic Dreams project Oleksandra Novikova, Secretary General of the project Oleksandra Starkova, Director of Project Development Karen Balayan
participation in the 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference “Sport: History and Modernity”, where Olympic Dreams was presented as an example of effective sports diplomacy;
an invitation to participate in the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, held at the initiative of Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine;
CEO of Olympic Dreams Oleksandra Novikova, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Secretary General of Olympic Dreams Oleksandra Starkova
a visit to Expo 2025 Osaka and the Ukrainian pavilion “Not For Sale” during the stay of Ukrainian athletes in Japan.
In the Ukrainian pavilion Not For Sale at the World Expo 2025 Osaka
Audience with the Pope
A significant event of 2025 was the audience with Pope Leo XIV and his blessing of the participants of the Italian Olympic Dreams camp. The Pontiff personally greeted the athletes and coaches and expressed his heartfelt support for Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV blessed the participants of Olympic Dreams and expressed his sincere support for Ukraine. Photo: Vatican Media
A Year of “Firsts”
The year 2025 went down in the history of the project as a year of many “firsts”:
for the first time, the project’s geography expanded to include the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and France;
for the first time, ten international camps were held within a single year.
Another notable event was the ceremonial awarding of a black belt — first dan — to the Olympic Dreams philanthropist, Anatoliy Boyko, by the Judo Federation of Ukraine during the Italian camp.
Initiator and philanthropist of the Olympic Dreams project, Anatoliy Boyko
“This was not only a sporting recognition, but also a sign of gratitude and deep respect for his consistent support of Ukrainian judo and athletes during wartime”, — said Mykhailo Koshliak, President of the Judo Federation of Ukraine.
The Olympic Dreams project, founded to preserve and develop Ukraine’s Olympic reserve under wartime conditions, continues its activities. It is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Judo Federation of Ukraine, the NOC of Ukraine, international partners, philanthropists, and volunteers.
The Olympic Dreams team at the legendary Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo, together with Yurii Lutovinov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Japan
Ahead lie new countries, new partnerships, and new success stories of young athletes for whom Olympic Dreams has already become an important part of their life journey.