Decision on the deprivation of scholarships for athletes
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has made a decision to deprive famous Ukrainian athletes – European champion in diving Sofia Lyskunn and Oleksandra Sendziuk – of scholarships. The corresponding decree was signed on December 24, 2023.
Sofia Lyskunn won the title of European champion in the mixed team in 2023. She also has gold medals from continental championships won in 2018 and 2024. Despite her success on the international stage, the decision to deprive her of the scholarship has caused outrage among the sports community.
Reaction to the decision
One of the reactions to this decree was the opinion expressed by Svitlana Zhurova, who noted:
“This is just some kind of madness and a witch hunt.” - Svitlana Zhurova
She pointed out the misunderstanding and injustice surrounding such a decision.
It is important to note that on February 29, 2024, Oleksandra Sayutina attended Volodymyr Putin's annual address to the Federal Assembly, which may also be related to the discussion of sports achievements. The 2026 Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22 in Italy, and in light of such events, the issue of supporting athletes becomes even more relevant.
The president's decision to deprive scholarships has sparked widespread resonance in society, underscoring the importance of state support for sports, especially in light of the upcoming Olympic Games. Athletes who achieve significant success internationally may feel a negative impact on their motivation and careers due to such actions, which could affect the overall development of sports in Ukraine.