Powerlifters from the Donetsk region, with the onset of the Russian full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, were forced to change their usual gyms in their native region for training places in safer areas of our state. In particular, students of the powerlifting department of the Regional Children's and Youth Sports School for Children of Donetsk Region have been warmly welcomed by the Sports Club "Olymp" in Lviv since 2022.
The head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Mytsyk, got acquainted with the current training conditions for athletes. He congratulated the winners and prize-winners of the European Powerlifting Championship, which took place in May in the Czech Republic, and discussed urgent issues they face with the athletes, as well as the concept of solving these problems.
Volodymyr Mytsyk inspected the new sports equipment recently purchased with regional budget funds to improve the training process for children in Donetsk. The quality of this equipment and its compliance with international standards will allow for conditions that are as close to competitive as possible.
Volodymyr Mytsyk presented the certificate of "Master of Sports of Ukraine in Powerlifting" to Mykola Hodunov – the European Powerlifting Champion of 2025 among boys.
The goal of the children from Donetsk is to participate in international tournaments through hard work in training, to be ambassadors of goodwill, and to tell representatives of other countries the truth about the crimes committed by Russians in the Donetsk region. The main challenge for young powerlifters from Donetsk in 2025 will be the World Championship for boys and juniors, scheduled to be held from August 25 to September 5 in Costa Rica.
“You are not just athletes – you are ambassadors of our resilience. By your example, you show the whole world that Ukraine is strong in spirit and indomitable,” emphasized the head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration in his address to the powerlifters.
On the eve of Coach's Day, celebrated in Ukraine on July 19, Volodymyr Mytsyk presented awards from the department to two leading coaches of Donetsk in powerlifting.
The awards were received by:
- Ivan Zbandut – Honored Coach of Ukraine in Powerlifting, Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine, President of the Donetsk Regional Branch of the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Federation of Powerlifting of Ukraine" "Federation of Powerlifting of Donetsk Region";
- Aliona Bychkova – Honored Coach of Ukraine in Powerlifting, Senior Coach-Teacher of the Children's Sports School, General Secretary of the Donetsk Regional Branch of the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Federation of Powerlifting of Ukraine" "Federation of Powerlifting of Donetsk Region".
“Thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of our federation leaders, coaches, and athletes, the glorious traditions of Ukrainian sports continue to multiply. Sincere gratitude to each and every one for their daily work, for their active position, for their contribution to victories and achievements in the glory of Ukraine,” noted Volodymyr Mytsyk.