Youth Olympic Games in Dakar: Ukrainian Athletes Return Home with Futsal Gold and Boxing Bronze

Welcome Home: Ukrainian Athletes Greeted at Kyiv Central Station

According to НОК: On November 15, 2026, Ukrainian athletes returned to a warm reception at Kyiv's Central Railway Station following their participation in the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Dakar. The spotlight was especially on Ukraine’s girls’ futsal team, who clinched the championship title at the event. Additionally, Evangeline Petruk made history by winning a bronze medal in the women’s boxing 57 kg weight class-the nation’s first-ever medal in female boxing at the Youth Olympics.

Celebrating Champions: Coaches and Officials Honor the Team

The homecoming ceremony featured the presence of key coaches such as Oleksandr Zolotukhin and Olena Tsykalenko (futsal), Yuriy Myahkikh (boxing), and Roman Shklyarenko (artistic gymnastics). The athletes were congratulated by prominent figures from Ukraine’s sports community, including:

• Vadym Guttsayt, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and Olympic fencing champion;
• Serhiy Vladiko, President of the Ukrainian Futsal Association;
• Andriy Yamkovyi, Vice President of the Ukrainian Futsal Association.

Representatives from the Ukrainian Boxing Federation, the Futsal Association, along with family and friends, were also in attendance to support the returning athletes.

This occasion marked the conclusion of a series of homecomings for Ukraine’s delegation from Dakar 2026. The National Olympic Committee expressed gratitude to JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" and its Chairman Oleksandr Pertskovsky for their assistance in organizing these welcome events. Among the returning athletes were the girls’ futsal teams, Evangeline Petruk (boxing), Polina Kovera (futsal), Maksym Borysov (artistic gymnastics), and Yana Protsenko (artistic gymnastics).

This milestone event highlights the remarkable achievements of Ukraine’s young athletes and the vital support of their coaches and sporting organizations.

The reception at Kyiv’s train station not only celebrated the triumphs of Ukraine’s youth athletes but also underscored the crucial role of community and governmental backing in nurturing sporting talent. Successful returns from international competitions serve as inspiration for the nation’s youth, encouraging greater participation and ambition in sports.

As the excitement of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar continues to resonate, it's worth noting that Ukraine not only celebrated significant victories in futsal and boxing but also secured a total of nine medals during the event. This remarkable achievement underscores the nation's growing strength in youth sports and highlights the potential for future success. For a detailed overview of all the medals won by Ukraine, including the impressive three golds, check out our coverage of Ukraine's overall performance at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.