In Lake Placid, New York, only a few days remain before Ukrainian athletes Vladyslav Heraskevych and Yaroslav Lavreniuk participate in their final skeleton race. After that, they’re headed back to Ukraine, uncertain of what awaits them at home. These two are the sole representatives from Ukraine competing at the world bobsled and skeleton championships beginning Thursday and stretching into the following weekend. Their temporary residence is unmistakable; it’s adorned with a large Ukrainian flag hanging proudly from the porch.
As conflict continues in their homeland, with Ukraine at the center of escalating tensions with the U.S., Heraskevych and Lavreniuk strive to bring a sense of hope and pride to those watching them compete. “I think every one of us lost some friends at this point,” shared Heraskevych, approaching his third Olympic bid. He spoke of the personal losses – friends and family members no longer safe in the war-torn regions of Ukraine.
These recent developments have only heightened their concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently had a contentious meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The suspension of military aid by Trump’s administration has greatly impacted the morale of Ukrainians, reliant as they are on such support since Russia’s full-scale incursion began three years ago.
Despite the tumultuous news, Heraskevych and Lavreniuk find comfort in the backing from fellow athletes worldwide and the community of Lake Placid, which shares a long-standing support for Ukraine. Even the local shops’ merchants express their solidarity with their cause.
The phrase “Sláva Ukrayíni”, a rallying cry meaning “Glory to Ukraine,” is a common sentiment they hear at their sporting venues. Lavreniuk expressed his concerns, worrying about his family in Kyiv amidst the distant but constant peril.
The international support is palpable, with U.S. women’s bobsledder Kaysha Love calling their presence “inspiring.” Despite the adversity, the Ukrainian athletes continue to compete and represent their country on the world stage, standing resilient against the turmoil back home.
Although Ukraine lacks a dedicated venue for their sport, the sliders have always considered the track in Sigulda, Latvia, their training ground. There’s also a makeshift skeleton start training facility back home, though the ever-present threat of air raids disrupted Lavreniuk’s recent session there.
While Ukraine has yet to secure an Olympic medal in any of the sliding sports, Heraskevych remains hopeful. With strong performances in past World Cup races, the championship presents a potential opportunity for success. Simultaneously, Ukraine recently captured a World Cup luge medal in a relay event after a long hiatus, bringing emotional victories to its supporters.
Upon concluding the season, Heraskevych and Lavreniuk plan a roughly three-day journey back to Ukraine, aiming to engage with the nation’s sports schools and inspire the next wave of athletes. Yet, amidst all these aspirations, their sincerest hope is for peace to return to their homeland soon.
“In these challenging times, we endeavor to showcase our country with pride,” said Heraskevych. “We strive to compete hard, achieve outstanding results, and bring joy to Ukraine’s people.”
