PARK CITY, Utah — On Feb. 20, flagbearer Olena Bilosiuk led a group of Ukrainian athletes at the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. More than 40 athletes competed for the country at the Games, and freestyle skier Oleksandr Abramenko’s silver in men’s aerials was its only medal.
Four days later, their lives were changed forever when Russia launched an invasion of the country.
“First four days, I can’t eat because I couldn’t believe it was really happening,” Ukrainian coach Stanislav Kravchuk said in a recent interview at Utah Olympic Park. “All the missiles, tanks and everything, aircraft, bombings, that was a shock for us.”
Five months later, 18 Ukrainian freestyle skiers, 13 family members and four coaches, including Kravchuk, have taken up residence at the Utah Olympic Park. The initiative is part of a larger Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation project. Nine Ukrainian curlers and one coach have also been training at the Utah Olympic Oval and the Weber County Ice Sheet while living at the University of Utah. The freestyle skiing group arrived in June and is scheduled to stay until the end of August.
“For us, it’s hard for me to explain,” Kravchuk said. “It’s not that we are on a vacation, but it’s a different world. It’s a normal life here, what we did before Feb. 24. It’s not a vacation, but it’s kind of a rest. Not physically, (but) mentally, to be here.”
Ukrainian freestyle skiers trained Thursday morning on the water ramps at UOP, the same ones the U.S. team uses. From a distance, it looks like a normal offseason training session.
“This is a long time to train for us, so it’s a chance to do different programs, especially to learn new tricks,” Kravchuk said. “On the water, it’s safer than on the snow. We have water ramps here, trampoline training, gym — all we can imagine right now.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affected winter sports athletes across the globe. International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) events that were set to be hosted in Russia, such as World Cups, were canceled. But athletes from Ukraine also missed out on competing due to the war, so that makes the coming season even more important. Athletes receive more FIS points for higher finishes and are ranked by how many points they have in FIS points lists.
“Our athletes will compete, and they will earn FIS points, which is really important for us,” Kravchuk said. “Because since the war started, we missed all the international competitions. So, we have to compete because we need the points to be on the list.”
By coaching at the UOP, Kravchuk has been distracted from what has been happening in his home country. Skiing has always been a part of his life, and now he can just focus on that.
“It’s my job, it’s my life,” Kravchuk said. “I enjoy water-ramp jumping, trampoline jumping. Everything is perfect.”
Among the Ukrainian skiers staying at the UOP is freeskier Kateryna Kotsar. She was getting ready to compete in the slopestyle national championships in the western part of the country when the war broke out. Kotsar is from Kyiv but stayed in the west as a precaution.
Instead of competing or training, she was volunteering to help wherever she could.
“I cannot go to war like soldiers because I’m (a) girl, and I can’t do it,” she said. “I cannot understand how to do it like the professional soldiers can do it. But I can help with humanitarian aid and documents for soldiers.”
It took some time for her to adjust to normalcy again. Initially, the sound of planes flying overhead made her uncomfortable. She had to remind herself that her life in the U.S. was safe.
Her training in Park City also has other purposes. She knows what it would mean to her fellow Ukrainians back home to see athletes representing their country at the international level and succeed. While she may not be a soldier, this is her way of continuing to give back to her nation.
“Ukrainians are very proud of other Ukrainians,” she said. “We feel we can make some better (morale) of Ukrainians.”
Kotsar wants to return home and hopes the war will end soon. While her life is now safe from Russian missiles and tanks, she wants others to know the fight isn’t over.
“Do not forget that, in Ukraine, there is still war,” she said.
Those who are interested in donating to the Ukrainian Olympic and Paralympic Solidarity Fund can visit utahcf.org/give/ukrainian-olympic-and-paralympic-solidarity-fund.
Aspen Cycling Club weekly race results
Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil. If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: Moderator Trusted User
Busy real estate firm looking for a self-motivated apprentice. Must have excellent communication and writing skills, experience with Adobe InDesign…
ATLANTIC AVIATION Aircraft Refueler/ Line Service Tech Customer Service Agent Starting pay $22/hr 4 day work week! $1000 monthly housing…
Part time-20-30hr/wk. Future opportunity to be full-time/overtime, matching 401k plan.$23-25/hrResponsible for installing & servicing Invisible Fence???(R) Brand systems across CO…
ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPERReese Henry & Company, Inc. is a large local public accounting firm with offices in Aspen and Carbondale, Colorado.At Reese…
TAX PROFESSIONALS Join Reese Henry & Company to pursue a challenging big city career in a progressive and growing Aspen…
Garfield County Road & Bridge is seeking Equipment Operator I**Minimum Class B CDL Required** Job duties include operating tampers, mowers,…
We're hiring a hardworking and dependable person for our cabinet shop in Carbondale. Carpentry/woodworking skills a plus. Must have reliable…
REPORTER JOB POSTING The Aspen Times wants you to work with us. We are looking for general assignment reporters to…
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is hiring a Marketing Manager at ACES Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Marketing Manager Aspen…
Kickstart Your Future Today. Dodson Engineered Products, A Core & Main Brand is hiring organized and efficient team members for…
Seeking energetic marketing professional for a dynamic creative team to office in Carbondale. Experience in marketing, preferably communications, design, social…
FT/PTHousekeeping & Front DeskGreat Pay withoutDriving upvalley.
Excellent pay for the right individual ableto take projects from start to finish
Full Time and Part Time. Competitive Pay & Benefits. Come join our team in the mid-valley and save on your…
is hiring for PT/FT Beauty Specialist.Must be avail. weekends & holidays
Full Time manager and assistant manager positions available. We offer an additional $2/hr Resort Pay Premium, 20% discount, 401k and…
YouthZone is Hiring! Mental Health Counselor Every day, the staff of YouthZone works to make a significant difference in the…
Now Hiring:Program CoordinatorClinicians II or III / TherapistAdvanced Psychiatric Nurse PractitionerMedical Case ManagerTo apply: https://www.mindspringshealth.org/careers
We are looking for: Back Servers, Baristas, Bartenders, Bell Attendants, Concierge, Front Desk Agents, Hosts/Hostesses, Housekeepers, HR Coordinator, Maintenance Technicians,…
Repair and installation of appliances from Aspen to Rifle, CO. Locally-owned home-appliance business in Glenwood Springs, CO looking for self-motivated…
How's your Aspen?High and tight Sagging Full of hot air Backed up Somebody call a plumber View Results Loading ...
Submit a Request to Update a Crime Story
Do not sell my personal information
Steamboat Springs - Routt County
Winter Park - Granby - Grand County
Aspen High School - Skier Scribbler