The EWF President Conflitti paid a special visit to the Ukrainian training camp in the Olympic Center Koncha-Zaspa where he had the opportunity to have a dialogue with the National Team’s athletes and coaches in preparation for the upcoming World and European championships, wishing them good luck.
On Wednesday, the 8th of May, the EWF President Antonio Conflitti visited also the Olympic House of Ukraine and had the great pleasure to meet the President of the National Olympic Committee, Mr. Vadym Gutzait and the President of the National Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Oleksandr Gerega, in the context of the desire to strengthen the international cooperation between the EWF and the sports and Olympic movement in Ukraine.
Among the main discussions held, the topic of the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, during the period in which the war in Ukraine continues, was also addressed.
President Conflitti further assured the Ukrainian side of the support of the European Weightlifting Federation, as it was confirmed from the very beginning of the regional crisis.
At the same time, them European weightlifting leader expressed his admiration for the Ukrainian athletes, who, even in such difficult conditions, continue to train and demonstrate outstanding results at international competitions. “It is difficult to express in words the appreciation for these athletes, coaches and other members of the staff when, even in such special situations of war, they continue their activities as best they can and train to fulfill their dreams of achieving international performances and winning medals.”
The NOC President Vadym Gutzait thanked Antonio Conflitti for the attention and support of Ukrainian sports and athletes, and took also the opportunity to praise the activities of the National Federation and its leadership, which does a lot for the development of this sport and the creation of appropriate conditions for the quality training of athletes
Plans for the 2024 Olympics were briefly discussed during the meeting and President Gutzait emphasized that the position of the Ukrainian side is unchanged considering the ongoing context of war. The meeting ended on a very positive note with an agreement regarding further fruitful international cooperation, especially regarding development and assistance programs for weightlifting.