20 May 2022

Rebuilding biathlon in Ukrainian Chernihiv

One of the main training facilities for biathlon and Nordic sports in Ukraine is trying to revive after the Russian destruction.

The city of Chernihiv became sadly famous during the past months as one of the numerous battlefields following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Biathlon fans may have heard the name before though, as the city proudly represented one of the most important training centres in the country for Nordic sports, and biathlon especially. When a group of local athletes and coaches approached to ask for help in making the sports life in Chernihiv restart, the decision to help them reach a wider public was rather easy (all details on how to get in touch with them or provide financial and material support are available at the bottom of the article).

One of the major traits of the facility is that it lies within the city of Chernihiv, allowing a great number of people of all ages to make use of the tracks. Before its destruction, about 300 kids and youth of all ages were regularly training there with some of the athletes living in the centre permanently. It is no surprise then, that a number of all-time Ukrainian winter sports champions come from there: Valentina Tserbe-Nessina, Andriy Deryzemlya, Sergii Semenov and Artem Pryma, to name a few.

In 2019, we visited the facility for a video story about the Ukrainian team as Dmitro Pidruchnyi and co. were competing at the summer national championships. The same venue where we saw laughter, passion and dedication is now almost unrecognizable: the bombs destroyed most of the buildings where logistics, storage and indoor training were taking place, while the roller skiing track is now too dangerous to be used. Darya Blashko was training in that very facility upon returning from Beijing 2022 when the war broke out and she was forced to hide in a shelter within the training base. Some of you might have seen her pictures and videos on social media this winter.

Somehow and by sheer luck, Blashko and the other people in the shelter were spared and even managed to save a part of the biathlon rifles, while all other equipment went destroyed. Chernihiv specialized sports school of the Olympic reserves for children and youth is planning to renew primary training for children from their sports school. The motivation is there, but what is missing is the equipment of all sorts: roller skis, poles, shoes, helmets, sportswear, etc.

Ukrainian-born biathlete Alla Ghilenko, who competed at the last Olympic Games in Beijing for Moldova, is coordinating the operation and is happy to share her contacts with those who want to support the rebirth of Chernihiv sports centre. It is not just about money, but any equipment could be useful for kids to start finding some normality again thanks to sport.

Alla Ghilenko

ghilenkoa@gmail.com

For financial support bank details of NOС in Chernihiv region:

BANK DETAILS TO RECEIVE TRANSFERS FROM ABROAD IN EURO

CORRESPONDENT BANK: SWIFTCODE: COBADEFF COMMERZBANK AG, FRANKFURT am MAIN

ACCOUNT WITH INSTITUTION: SWIFTCODE: COSBUAUKCHG, JSC Oschadbank BENEFICIARY: UA633535530000026003300035014

Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine in Chernigiv region; st. Chernigiv, prospectus Miry, 14

REMITTANCE INFORMATION: charitable assistance for the restoration of biathlon of Chernihiv

BANK DETAILS TO RECEIVE TRANSFERS FROM ABROAD IN US DOLLARS

CORRESPONDENT BANK:

1.SWIFTCODE: IRVTUS3N

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, New York