Winners of the 'Athlete of the Month' Award for January 2026
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC) has revealed the winners of its 'Athlete of the Month' award for January 2026. The top honor goes to freestyle skier Dmytro Kotovsky, who delivered an outstanding performance at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup in Lac-Beauport, Canada, competing in aerials. His super-final score of 131.56 points secured his third career World Cup victory and his first since 2023. The Coach of the Month award was presented to Enver Ablaev.
Recognition for Junior Athletes
The NOC also announced the winners in the junior athlete category. Vladyslav Klymenko was named the top junior athlete for January 2026 after winning a bronze medal at the Junior European Skeleton Championships in Winterberg, Germany. At the same event, he also placed fifth in the U23 age category. Dmytro Tkachenko was recognized as the top coach for a junior athlete.
In a separate but related move, the NOC has officially approved the composition of the Ukrainian national team delegation for the XXV Olympic Winter Games in 2026. The delegation will consist of 103 individuals, including:
- 46 athletes
- 42 coaches, doctors, masseurs, and other technical staff
- 15 members of the national team's headquarters staff
Team Ukraine will compete in 11 different sports at the Games:
- Biathlon (10 athletes)
- Alpine Skiing (2)
- Nordic Combined (2)
- Cross-Country Skiing (6)
- Luge (10)
- Skeleton (1)
- Snowboarding (1)
- Ski Jumping (2)
- Freestyle Skiing (9)
- Figure Skating (1)
- Short Track Speed Skating (2)
These announcements highlight Ukraine's ongoing preparations for major international competition. The selection of monthly award winners and the formalization of the Olympic delegation roster are key steps in the country's athletic cycle. Success on the global stage, such as Kotovsky's World Cup win, demonstrates the high caliber of Ukrainian winter sports programs. Participation across 11 disciplines at the 2026 Games represents a significant commitment to the development and promotion of winter sports within the nation.