Olympic Dreams attended the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen

The International project Olympic Dreams, which has supported Ukrainian athletes from war-affected regions since 2022, was invited to the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. This year’s Summit theme was “Education Shaping the World”, dedicated to the role of education as the foundation of peace, sustainable development, equality, and cooperation.

Attending the Summit was a logical continuation of the Olympic Dreams mission: developing Ukraine’s Olympic reserve requires an uninterrupted training process as well as a strong educational and cultural component. The project demonstrates how sport can serve as an effective tool of cultural and educational diplomacy.

“We are not only strengthening our positions on the world’s sports arena. Through the prism of sports, we also introduce the international community to Ukrainian traditions and values, carrying Ukraine’s cultural code far beyond its borders — from Japan to Mexico, from the United Kingdom to Cyprus — and we are continuing to expand the horizons of cooperation,” noted the project’s CEO, Oleksandra Novikova.

CEO of the Olympic Dreams project Oleksandra Novikova and Secretary General of the Olympic Dreams project Oleksandra Starkova 

International Activities of Olympic Dreams

The project, which has already taken place in 11 countries, was also presented at international scientific conferences — at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and at the State Tax University. During meetings at the STU, athletes — international-class judo masters — discussed pathways for developing sports diplomacy with Priscilla Toffano, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine, and Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine.

Olympic Dreams actively engages with international media. Project participants have already taken part in two documentaries: Espoirs by the French sports channel L’Equipe and Ukrainian Fire by France TV.

“It is important for us to convey vital messages about the war in Ukraine to the world, including through the personal stories of our athletes. For example, a documentary featuring European judo vice-champion Anastasiia Chyzhevska, whose father was killed defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces, was presented in Irpin, and in Paris during the Olympic Games,” said the project’s Secretary General, Oleksandra Starkova.

Oleksandra Novikova, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Oleksandra Starkova

A symbol of support

During the Summit, project leaders Oleksandra Novikova and Oleksandra Starkova had the honor to personally thank the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, for her support of Olympic Dreams. A powerful impetus for the project’s growth was a traditional embroidered shirt (vyshyvanka) signed by the First Lady and given at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Embroidered shirt signed by Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska

This symbolic gift was publicly presented at an event in Cyprus with the participation of the First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus, Philippa Karsera, where an educational and sports camp of the project took place, enabling more than 150 athletes to train safely and prepare for international competitions.

First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus Philippa Karsera at the Olympic Dreams event with Ukrainian Ambassador Russlan Nimchynskyi, Oleksandra Novikova, and philanthropist Anatoliy Boyko 

As a reminder, the Olympic Dreams project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, sports federations, and in cooperation with Ukrainian embassies worldwide.

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