The 17th international Olympic Dreams camp was held in the Netherlands. This is the eighth country to host a large-scale sports project aimed at supporting young Ukrainian athletes during a full-scale war.
During the offsite camp, a team of Ukrainian judokas held joint training sessions with the Dutch national team and athletes from leading local clubs. This sports exchange of experience is another step towards the professional development of future Olympians from Ukraine.
“The project, which was launched as a tool for preserving the country's sports potential, has already brought up many champions of Ukraine and Europe,” says Anatoliy Boyko, the project's initiator and patron. “For the fourth year in a row, we have been consistently working to ensure that the support of young athletes is systematic and continuous, because sport does not tolerate pauses.”
During the offsite camp, a team of Ukrainian judokas held joint training sessions with the Dutch national team and athletes from leading local clubs. This sports exchange of experience is another step towards the professional development of future Olympians from Ukraine.
“The project, which was launched as a tool for preserving the country's sports potential, has already brought up many champions of Ukraine and Europe,” says Anatoliy Boyko, the project's initiator and patron. “For the fourth year in a row, we have been consistently working to ensure that the support of young athletes is systematic and continuous, because sport does not tolerate pauses.”
Launched in March 2022, Olympic Dreams provides an opportunity for talented Ukrainian children to continue their sports training despite the war. Camp participants train in leading sports centers in Europe and around the world. Travel, accommodation, meals, and training for children are completely free thanks to the project's sponsors and partners. Support is also provided by national federations, line ministries, the National Olympic Committee, sports clubs, volunteers, local authorities, and Ukrainian embassies in the host countries.
A gala event was held in honor of the Ukrainian athletes at the city hall of Heerde, where the camp was held. Mayor Olaf Prinsen, First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands Yevhen Dovzhenko and CEO of Olympic Dreams project Oleksandra Novikova spoke at the event.
The Ukrainian team is sincerely grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the camp. In particular, our gratitude goes to Gerrit Bijsterbosch, judo coach, head of the Talentpartner Oost club and president of the Sports Center Bijsterbosch, where the Ukrainian judokas trained. We would also like to thank our coaches and partners: Maria Bianka Lojanica - regio trainer talentontwikkeling Noord-Oost Judobond Nederland, Sergiy Tyshchenko - judotrainer, Marc Haagsma - regiojudotrainer, Patrick Gaynor - bestuurslid Judoteam Bijsterbosch, Dorenda Biel-Haagsma - bestuurslid Stichting My Zwolle, Arjan Biel - Voorzitter Stichting My Zwolle, all employees of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Olympic Dreams project continues its mission. There are new camps, new countries and even more opportunities for young Ukrainian athletes to grow, develop and win.
Information and contact details:
Email: uachildrenfund@gmail.com
Website: maydit.com.ua/olympic_dreams
Facebook: @olympic.dreams.project
Instagram: @olympic_dreams_ua
Website: maydit.com.ua/olympic_dreams
Facebook: @olympic.dreams.project
Instagram: @olympic_dreams_ua