While nearly 500 Ukrainian athletes, trainers killed during war, twin sisters compete in 2024 Paris Olympics
One day during a training session, my sister and I were swimming in the pool when a massive explosion erupted. Startled, we dashed to the basement in our swimsuits. In shock, we watched as flames and destruction spread in the distance. The air filled with screams and the sound of collapsing buildings.
- 4 weeks ago
August 19, 2024
Maryna Aleksiiva and Vladyslava Aleksiiva, 23-year-old twin sisters and bronze medalists in artistic swimming from Tokyo 2021, competed for Ukraine in the Paris Olympics 2024. | Photo courtesy of Maryna Aleksiiva
PARIS, France ꟷ On February 24, 2022, my sister and I trained as we typically do in the swimming pool in Kharkiv, 30 kilometers from Russia. We were preparing for the Budapest World Cup, fine-tuning our choreographies. Suddenly, Russian attacks began, unfolding like a scene from a movie.
Immediately, we took refuge in an improvised bunker in the subway, where we remained trapped for several hours. Tragically, both a young biathlete I knew and a student from my school lost their lives in that attack. When we emerged from the bunker, the sight of the ruined city broke our hearts.
Amidst the war and destruction, my sister and I felt devastated. We struggled to keep up with our training routines. However, after a few weeks, our trainer encouraged us to keep pursuing our sport and not give up. After winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, we began training hard, focused on winning gold for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Read more stories from Ukraine at Orato World Media.
Female swimmers train amidst the Russian invasion
From an early age, our talent for artistic swimming was evident. My sister and I trained six days a week, starting at 6:30 a.m. Once we turned eight, my sister and I naturally synchronized our duet routines. Our first coach, Maryna Krykunova, said she saw greatness in us. Her words filled us with joy and aspirations of competing in the Olympic Games one day.
I embraced swimming as a passion, and the water gave me a sense of pure freedom. This experience became even more special when I shared it with my sister. In the water, we let our problems fade away, relaxed our minds, and felt like we were flowing.
However, when Russia invaded Ukraine, everything shifted. Every day, we checked the news, and when things seemed safe, then we continued our training. When danger approached, we quickly moved to the nearest bomb shelter. As the invasion began, Russian forces aggressively seized various regions of Ukraine, causing widespread destruction, injuries, and deaths. It felt as if they aimed to obliterate us.
One fateful morning, as we prepared for training, I saw a rocket fall outside my window. The explosion’s fire engulfed the surroundings. I stood in complete shock while my mother reassured me, claiming it was just fireworks. We could not believe what was happening; none of us had prepared for war. That day remains etched in my memory forever, shrouded in sadness.
Fleeing Kharkiv: from urgent escape to preparing for the World Championship
In the early months of the war, Russian tanks advanced toward Kharkiv, prompting my family to leave urgently. We hurriedly packed a few belongings into the car and joined thousands of others on the crowded roads, fleeing the country. In our belongings, we only carried summer clothes and documents we set aside for our summer training camp in Turkey. Finally, we fled Kharkiv with our parents, uncertain about what was happening or what awaited us.
However, my sister Vladyslava kept something very important—a bronze Olympic medal we won at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. This medal became our treasure. Each time we looked at it, our spirits soared. It felt like being two young girls transported to another world, giving us a brief moment of joy.
As we began our journey to survive, we sought out a country willing to accept us and support our continued training. We traveled from Kharkiv to Lviv, a journey that took days by car. Traveling across the country, we finally reached Budapest with the support of the European Swimming League (LEN) and national federations. In Budapest, we stayed for a few days before continuing to Ostia, Italy.
After 12 days of uncertainty, we began a countdown to maintain our physical fitness and prepare for the World Championship in Budapest. At the same time, we actively monitored social media and WhatsApp groups for updates on the ongoing war. This allowed us to stay connected with the chaotic world we left behind.
Facing the hardships of war, women athletes stay committed to their Olympic training
When we arrived in Italy, our teammates generously provided us with sports equipment and essential daily items. Athletes from Mexico, the United States, Japan, and China sent us daily messages of encouragement and invited us to train at their facilities.
Despite the overwhelming support, we faced challenges during our initial training sessions in Italy. The ongoing war in our homeland is a constant distraction, making it difficult to focus entirely on our training. Our parents accompanied us but returned to Ukraine midway, further increasing our concerns.
At the end of the season, after six months of training, we decided to head back to Ukraine. We trained in Kyiv because Kharkiv became unsafe due to constant bombings. There, we spent our nights sleeping in the corridor of a bomb shelter. Eventually, we opted to return to Kharkiv, accepting the life-threatening risks. Being with family, even without electricity or music for training, provided us some comfort.
Following the World Cup, we shifted our training base from Kharkiv back to Kyiv. As Kharkiv experienced relentless explosions 5 to 10 times daily, it disrupted our ability to train efficiently. Although Kyiv felt somewhat less tense, we still faced the dangers of war. Living in Kyiv often felt like being in a horror movie; each explosion forced us to rush to the shelter swiftly. Sometimes we had to leave our beds in the middle of the night without knowing exactly where to go. This chaotic routine became our new normal.
Despite these challenges, we resumed training the next day, concentrating on our Olympic preparations. We felt immense mental and emotional strain, even though we could handle the physical demands. Both the distress and our need to stay focused presented a constant challenge for us.
Athletes train in pool shattered by missile attacks
Over the last 18 months, explosions jolted us awake at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. instead of our cell phone alarms. We initially felt intense terror from the roars, but eventually, the explosions became routine. Alarmingly, we had to run to the basement to save our lives.
During these destructive years of war in Ukraine, we faced immense challenges. We fled our city and endured numerous bombings, but these hardships only strengthened our resolve. Bombs destroyed everything: our school, the city center, and the old town. We now train in a swimming pool located in a pavilion without glass, which shattered during a missile attack. The pool also lacks a generator to heat the water during power outages, yet it remains standing.
One day during a training session, my sister and I were swimming in the pool when a massive explosion erupted. Startled, we dashed to the basement in our swimsuits. In shock, we watched as flames and destruction spread in the distance. The air filled with screams and the sound of collapsing buildings. Feeling petrified and uncertain about what to do next, I wrapped myself in a towel and looked at my sister. We both silently whispered, “It will all end soon.”
Nonetheless, the war did not stop us. We remained steadfast in our goal to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and represent Ukraine with pride. Determined, we felt set to showcase our skill, strength, and perseverance. Competing in these Games not only signified a personal achievement but also served as a tribute to all of Ukraine.
Ukrainian athletes to showcase nation’s resilience and bravery at Paris Olympics 2024
Participating in the Paris Olympics 2024 carried profound significance for us. Entering the Olympic pool for the first time felt truly awe-inspiring. Despite enduring harsh and unfair conditions compared to other competitors, we trained for seven hours each day. We aimed to demonstrate our country’s bravery and resilience to the world.
Even while competing abroad, the war never leaves our thoughts. Shortly after arriving in Paris, a powerful storm struck, frightening us. My body trembled uncontrollably until I remembered we were in France. Certain noises still terrify me, as the war remains present in my mind.
During a recent call with my father, and with my mother also on the line, an air alert went off. I felt anxious, but my dad reassured me that everything was okay and told me not to worry. I took a deep breath, tried to stay calm, and focused on my training. It is tough to concentrate when you are away from your family. We lost sports friends who died defending us, and many young athletes have perished.
Our primary duty extends beyond achieving sporting success; it involves representing our people and country during these challenging times. Seizing this opportunity, we want to share our experiences and perspectives with the world. Our ultimate aim is to restore the freedom, independence, and peace we once had. Simultaneously, we also have a greater mission: to show that Ukraine continues to fight and remains resilient.
