European Aquatics conducts solidarity tour across Ukraine

President Antonio Silva and Vice President Erkan Yalcin visited training facilities across Kyiv, Lviv, and Odessa. The governing body vowed continued support for the nation’s elite programmes and resilient sports infrastructure.

Across a series of working meetings, competitive events, and high-level training centre inspections, the European Aquatics' delegation met with federation leaders and government representatives who continue to protect and develop aquatic sports despite the many institutional challenges the ongoing war with Russia present.

"Having the chance to acquaint myself with the living conditions and the reality in which aquatic sports continue to develop in Ukraine was both moving and inspiring," stated Silva. "I have seen extraordinary resilience, dedication and unity from everyone involved in our sport. European Aquatics stands firmly alongside our Ukrainian colleagues and athletes, and we remain committed to supporting them and helping build a brighter future for aquatics in Ukraine."

A central part of the itinerary was the delegation's attendance at the National Swimming Championships in Brovary, Kyiv region. Silva watched the finals session and participated in the medal ceremonies at the Kupava swimming pool on 14 May.

The event also featured a poignant farewell ceremony honouring decorated Olympic medallist and multiple World and European champion Mykhailo Romanchuk.

The championships brought together leading figures of Ukrainian sport and public life, including National Olympic Committee President Vadym Gutzeit, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports for European Integration Viktoriia Riasna, and Ukrainian Swimming Federation President Andrii Vlaskov.

Silva and Yalcin also held a targeted session with leaders of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, including President Valerii Sushkevych and Vice-President Oksana Skugareva, to discuss international cooperation frameworks.

Further meetings in the capital focused on the elite training infrastructure. The delegation visited the Liko Sports Centre, the primary training base for Ukraine's national diving and artistic swimming squads. President Silva highlighted the long-term cooperation with Ukrainian Diving and Synchronised Swimming Federation President Igor Lysov, who has maintained the private facility for 12 years.

The venue previously hosted the European Diving Championships in 2017 and 2019, as well as the World Junior Diving Championships in 2018 and 2021. European Aquatics expressed strong hope that Ukraine will be able to welcome international events again in the near future.

While at the Liko complex, the delegation reviewed training conditions alongside state coach Marta Fiedina and technical diving chair Anna Sorokina, speaking directly with prominent international divers including Oleksii Sereda, Kirill Boliukh, and Stanislav Oliferchyk, alongside Head Coach Illia Tseliutin.

The tour transitioned to Lviv for a series of regional administrative engagements with Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of the Lviv Region State Administration, and Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, alongside Ukrainian Water Polo Federation President Oleksandr Svishchev. During their stay, the delegation visited the Field of Mars memorial site and the SUPERHUMANS centre for war veterans.

At the end of the visit the officials attended the final match of the Ukrainian Water Polo Championship. Silva personally presented the championship trophy to Dynamo Lviv, who secured their 13th domestic title and eighth consecutive league crown, with NTU KPI Kharkiv finishing as the tournament runners-up.

"Sport has a unique power to inspire hope and bring people together, even in the most difficult circumstances," Silva concluded. "The Ukrainian aquatic community continues to demonstrate immense strength and dignity. European Aquatics will continue to stand with them.”