On 7 October 2024, the film "Espoirs" ("Hopes") premiered in the Perun cinema in Irpin, which was damaged by Russian shelling. The documentary tells the story of five young athletes from different parts of the world. The protagonist of the Ukrainian part of the film is Anastasiia Chyzhevska, an international master of sports in judo, European Cup champion, three-time champion of Ukraine, and participant of the Olympic Dreams project. The event was attended by numerous guests of honour, including famous Ukrainian Olympians, local authorities and public figures.
The screening was organised in cooperation with the Irpin City Council, the National Olympic Committee in Kyiv Region, and the Olympic Dreams international sports camps project.
The screening was organised in cooperation with the Irpin City Council, the National Olympic Committee in Kyiv Region, and the Olympic Dreams international sports camps project.
The guests of the event not only watched the Ukrainian premiere of the French film, but also had a chance to talk personally with its protagonist and prominent Ukrainian Olympians who signed autographs for young fans.
During the opening ceremony, the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, made a welcoming speech, emphasising the importance of such events for the community, especially in times of war:
"Our city is a symbol of recovery and strength of spirit. And the presence of such athletes is a powerful motivation for young people, inspiring them to continue doing sports and reach new heights."
Oleksandra Novikova, CEO of the Olympic Dreams project, who supports talented Ukrainian athletes by creating languages for their professional training, spoke about the main goal of the film and the project itself:
"Olympic Dreams is more than just a sports and social initiative. It is a project that creates conditions for Ukrainian young talents so that they can continue to train in safe conditions and represent Ukraine on the international stage, despite all the challenges that the war brings."
In her speech, Anastasiia Chyzhevska, who lost her father in the war, who volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said that the film was a way for her to tell the world the story not only of her family, but also of thousands of Ukrainian athletes who continue to fight for their dreams in the time of war:
"We have all been through a lot. But it is sport that helps us not to lose hope. This film is not just my story. It is the story of all Ukrainians who dream and go for their goals against all odds."
Anastasiia's personal coach, Honoured Coach of Ukraine, International Master of Sports of Ukraine, European Judo Champion and World Championship silver medallist, Secretary General of the Olympic Dreams project, Oleksandra Starkova, said:
"Our goal now is to qualify for the next Olympic Games and represent the city of Irpin and Ukraine as a whole there with dignity. We are working on it now. There will be many competitions, and many difficult times ahead. But we believe that we will overcome everything."
After the premiere, young athletes from Kyiv region had the opportunity to talk to Anastasiia and other Ukrainian Olympians, including Natalia Pyhyda, Valerii Andriiitsev, Georgii Zantaraia, Volodymyr Matviichuk, Karen Balaian, Alina Berezhna and Yakiv Khammo. They shared their experiences and inspired the young athletes not to give up, even when the situation seems hopeless.
During the opening ceremony, the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, made a welcoming speech, emphasising the importance of such events for the community, especially in times of war:
"Our city is a symbol of recovery and strength of spirit. And the presence of such athletes is a powerful motivation for young people, inspiring them to continue doing sports and reach new heights."
Oleksandra Novikova, CEO of the Olympic Dreams project, who supports talented Ukrainian athletes by creating languages for their professional training, spoke about the main goal of the film and the project itself:
"Olympic Dreams is more than just a sports and social initiative. It is a project that creates conditions for Ukrainian young talents so that they can continue to train in safe conditions and represent Ukraine on the international stage, despite all the challenges that the war brings."
In her speech, Anastasiia Chyzhevska, who lost her father in the war, who volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said that the film was a way for her to tell the world the story not only of her family, but also of thousands of Ukrainian athletes who continue to fight for their dreams in the time of war:
"We have all been through a lot. But it is sport that helps us not to lose hope. This film is not just my story. It is the story of all Ukrainians who dream and go for their goals against all odds."
Anastasiia's personal coach, Honoured Coach of Ukraine, International Master of Sports of Ukraine, European Judo Champion and World Championship silver medallist, Secretary General of the Olympic Dreams project, Oleksandra Starkova, said:
"Our goal now is to qualify for the next Olympic Games and represent the city of Irpin and Ukraine as a whole there with dignity. We are working on it now. There will be many competitions, and many difficult times ahead. But we believe that we will overcome everything."
After the premiere, young athletes from Kyiv region had the opportunity to talk to Anastasiia and other Ukrainian Olympians, including Natalia Pyhyda, Valerii Andriiitsev, Georgii Zantaraia, Volodymyr Matviichuk, Karen Balaian, Alina Berezhna and Yakiv Khammo. They shared their experiences and inspired the young athletes not to give up, even when the situation seems hopeless.
The film "Espoirs" by L'Équipe, the French national sports media, created in cooperation with L'Équipe explore and Mañana Production, tells the story of five young athletes from different countries: Crispin from Kenya, Kailasha from India, Rania from Morocco, Milo from France and Anastasiia from Ukraine. Each of them overcomes difficult circumstances, keeping faith in the best and striving for victories.
The Olympic Dreams project has been implemented by "The Future for Children" Charitable Foundation since March 2022. During this time, the format of sports camps has been successfully implemented in 7 countries (Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Slovakia, Austria and Japan). Young Ukrainian athletes have won more than 1000 medals at international and Ukrainian competitions while participating in the project.
For more information and contact details:
Email: uachildrenfund@gmail.com
Website: maydit.com.ua/olympic_dreams
Facebook: @olympic.dreams.project
Instagram: @olympic_dreams_ua
The Olympic Dreams project has been implemented by "The Future for Children" Charitable Foundation since March 2022. During this time, the format of sports camps has been successfully implemented in 7 countries (Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Slovakia, Austria and Japan). Young Ukrainian athletes have won more than 1000 medals at international and Ukrainian competitions while participating in the project.
For more information and contact details:
Email: uachildrenfund@gmail.com
Website: maydit.com.ua/olympic_dreams
Facebook: @olympic.dreams.project
Instagram: @olympic_dreams_ua