Curling operations moved to Scotland
Due to the Russian invasion that began in 2022, Ukraine's national curling program has been relocated to Scotland. This announcement came from Oleksii Perevezentsev, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. He noted that the Ukrainian Curling Championship is now being held in Scotland as well, and Ukrainian athletes are competing in both Scottish and English tournaments.
“We moved our national curling program to Scotland at the start of the full-scale aggression in 2022,” Oleksii Perevezentsev stated.
Challenges and support
Perevezentsev also highlighted issues with the talent pool, which hinder the growth of curling in Ukraine.
“We have problems with the talent reserve,” he said.He emphasized the need to recruit new athletes, both girls and boys. Despite these challenges, Perevezentsev expressed optimism about the future of Ukraine’s men’s national team. “Right now, I have especially high hopes for our men’s team. The ranking of the Ukrainian men’s curling team has been rising year after year,” he noted.
Another key factor is the support provided to Ukrainian athletes by the World Curling Federation. This assistance is crucial for overcoming the difficulties Ukrainian sportspeople face due to the war.
Additionally, Perevezentsev commented on the suspension of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Olympic Games. He described the athlete’s action as “courageous” but stressed that it was not coordinated with the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. “I assume that the IOC still believes Vladyslav’s action was fully coordinated with the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. But we only found out when it became public—it was not discussed or agreed upon with anyone at the NOC,” he concluded.
The relocation of the national curling program to Scotland demonstrates how Ukrainian athletes are adapting to the new realities created by the war, striving to preserve traditions and develop the sport under difficult circumstances. The importance of support from international organizations underscores the global solidarity with athletes affected by armed conflict.
The suspension of Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Olympic Games also raises questions about communication between athletes and the National Olympic Committee, which could influence future decisions and actions of Ukrainian sportspeople on the international stage. These events highlight the need for greater coordination and support in complex situations.
As Ukraine's curling program faces challenges due to the ongoing conflict, the situation of Ukrainian athletes in other sports remains equally complex. For instance, the recent suspension of skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has raised significant questions regarding coordination with the National Olympic Committee. To understand the implications of this decision and its impact on Ukrainian sports, read more about the controversy surrounding his suspension here.