Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva met with Ukrainian athlete and Crimean Anna Rizatdinova—bronze medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games, world champion in the hoop routine (2013), representative of the Gymnastics Federation, and member of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. The meeting addressed the development of a support program for Ukrainian athletes from Crimea.

Also attending the meeting were Olha Kuryshko, Deputy Permanent Representative, and Yevhen Bondarenko, Head of the Information Department at the Mission.

Tamila Tasheva emphasized the need for systematic support for Ukrainian citizens living in the temporarily occupied territories, particularly in Crimea. She stressed that sports serve as a crucial tool for preserving national identity and supporting young people who, despite challenging circumstances, strive to realize their potential. She noted that the state must develop a comprehensive program covering all aspects of support for athletes from Crimea.

“A comprehensive support program for athletes from Crimea should include the creation of adequate training and adaptation conditions, housing options during their education, assistance with administrative services, support from qualified coaches, provision of modern sports equipment, and the establishment of a supportive environment for developing their professional potential,” highlighted the Permanent Representative.

Tamila Tasheva also emphasized the importance of creating effective mechanisms for information dissemination and finding ways to involve children from Crimea in educational, cultural, and sports programs, given the limited mobility options from the temporarily occupied territory.

Deputy Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko said that the Mission cooperated with the NGO Wrestling Federation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, for whose members it was crucial to represent Crimea in the sports arena on behalf of Ukraine.

“It is necessary to initiate a mechanism of support and representation of Crimean athletes at the state level until the regional governments in Crimea resume their activities after the liberation of the peninsula,” said Olha Kuryshko.

Anna Rizatdinova noted that Crimean residents are waiting to return to Ukraine and need information about the possibility of moving to the territory controlled by Ukraine. She emphasized that it is important to support citizens and provide them with conditions to participate in sports competitions to represent Ukraine in the international arena. Anna Rizatdinova also drew attention to Russian propaganda, which specifically involves the Crimean Peninsula in competitions under their flag.

Tamila Tasheva and Anna Rizatdinova agreed to work together to develop a program to support athletes from the Crimean Peninsula.