09 Jun 2022
Support for the Ukrainian Rowing community: Fundraiser update
In early March 2022, World Rowing launched a GoFundMe campaign in support of the Ukrainian Rowing community. Support came flowing in from around the world, and after surpassing the initial goal of 50’000 CHF, the goal was raised to 100’000 CHF. Following the first two updates on the fundraiser, we are pleased to breakdown the allocation of the money raised so far (amounts have been rounded out and converted to Swiss Francs):
21 000 CHF to the Ukrainian Paralympic Team, to help them relocate to Nancy, France, in April and continue their training there.
37 000 CHF to the Ukrainian Senior Olympic Team to help them relocate to Plovdiv, Bulgaria from June to August.
2 000 CHF to the Ukrainian Paralympic Team to help in their transport costs for the season.
Many local organising committees, as well as countless member federations are also aiding the Ukrainian Rowing community in this difficult time.
Poland, Germany, Lithuania continue to host many Junior and u23 rowers. Italy has hosted many of Ukraine’s juniors, who attended the 2022 European Rowing Under 19 Championships in Varese, Italy last month. Ukraine landed on the medals table with a silver and two bronzes – a great performance for the Ukrainian squad, who sent a great contingent of 32 rowers to Varese. All the costs related to accommodation and local transport were paid by the organising committee of Varese. A flame of solidarity was lit by an Italian and Ukrainian athlete at the opening ceremony.
France has been hosting the Paralympic group at the Nancy national training center for two months.
USRowing and JL Racing offered racing uniforms to the Olympic crews and Filippi is kindly supporting with boats.
Both the Belgrade OC and Serbian Rowing Federation supported the participation of Ukrainian team and the Croatia Olympic Committee and National Federation hosted them in the lead up to the first World Cup.
At the 2022 World Rowing Cup I in Belgrade, Serbia, Ukraine was represented by five crews. Their women’s quadruple sculls finished with a bronze medal.
World Rowing’s GoFundMe campaign remains open, as the war goes on and it is very uncertain what the future will look like.
World Rowing is in regular contact with the Ukrainian Rowing Federation, as well as a number of member federations who are providing help, to allocate the support and will report on the allocations of the funds raised.