Global donations and offers of support have allowed the successful transportation and housing of Ukrainian canoe athletes who have been forced from their homeland by the Russian invasion.
Financial donations to the GoFundMe account set up by the ICF has contributed to flights for more than 100 athletes who were attending a training camp in Turkey. The athletes and their coaches are now at training centres throughout Europe which have been made available by national canoe federations.
The federations have generously provided free accommodation and board, along with access to training facilities. Several offers have also been made to rehouse almost 30 paracanoe athletes who were in Turkey at the time of the invasion.
Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic are some of the countries who have opened their doors to welcome stranded Ukrainian athletes. Other groups have offered and provided equipment to help the athletes continue training.
There have also been numerous offers of support from canoeing clubs, individuals and local business communities, local governments, city councils and local Red Cross groups.
While the offers of support have been overwhelming, ICF President Thomas Konietzko said it’s likely more assistance will be needed.
“We should all be very proud of the way the canoeing community has responded to this crisis in Ukraine, and I know you have all made a big difference to the lives of athletes and their families who have been caught up in this dreadful situation,” Mr Konietzko said.
“We will need to do more, though. Sadly it looks likely this war will continue for some time, which will put enormous strain on the countries who have so generously already provided material and financial support.
“So I urge our entire international community – just because you may be a long way, geographically, from Ukraine, you can still provide help.”
The GoFundMe account is still open for financial donations, while offers of material donations can be made through ICF’s development manager, Sebastian.cuattrin@canoeicf.com
Several countries have indicated they will provide training equipment to Poland, where dozens of Ukrainian athletes are now based. An ICF canoe sprint and paracanoe world cup will be held in Poznan, Poland, in May, and federations and athletes are being urged to bring to the event boats, paddles and any other training equipment they can donate.
