Ukraine's national team wins 34 medals at veterans' competition in US
Ukrainian medalists of the veterans games abroad (facebook.com/mva.gov.ua)
The Ukrainian national team has clinched over three dozen awards at the United States Air Force Trials 2024 competition held in Las Vegas, USA, according to the official website of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
Thirty Ukrainians participated in the international sports competition among wounded military personnel and war veterans. They secured 20 gold medals in various events in the initial days of the United States Air Force Trials 2024.
Ukrainian veterans are competing in 11 adaptive sports disciplines. Currently, they are excelling in swimming, where they have garnered 26 medals, including 15 golds. Additionally, Ukrainians claimed one gold each in sitting volleyball and cycling, along with six gold and silver medals in powerlifting.
"Sport is primarily about discipline. It's a comfort zone for all military personnel. Sport knows no bounds. Each time you set a new goal for yourself, overcoming yourself and your opponents, you gain confidence and self-belief. Sport is tough, uncomfortable, sometimes painful, but every step, shot, centimeter, or kilogram brings an injured warrior closer from 'I can't' to 'I can do anything!'" said the team's head coach, Olena Yanovska.
According to her, the greatest achievement is the self-acceptance of the athletes. One of the athletes confessed to Yanovska that he had regained the feeling he had a moment before being injured. "An athlete feeling that way is the best reward for a coach," she concluded.
Photo: Ukrainian heroes in Americal (facebook.com/mva.gov.ua)
