A GROUP OF TEENAGERS FROM KIEV CAME TO US
“Athletes always show solidarity. I think rowers especially, because it is an elitist discipline,” says Stefan Janeczek, president of KW Gopło Kruszwica.
“As part of the agreement between me, the Polish Association of Rowing Associations and the Ukrainian Rowing Federation, on 14 March a group of young people with guardians from the sports championship school in Kiev came to us – six girls, three boys, three mothers to look after them and a coach,” says Stefan Janeczek.
“They stayed with us in the club, where we have 17 beds. They were 16–17-year-olds, two girls were 14–15 years old. Their goal was to prepare and take part in the European Junior Championships in Varese, scheduled for 21–22 May 2022. They wanted to show on the international arena that Ukraine functions normally, even though it was attacked. When the Ukrainian rowers came to us, they were depressed and resigned. I have a lot of flagpoles in the club, so I decided to hang the flags of Kruszwica, Poland, the European Union and Ukraine. Ukrainian athletes hoisted their flag themselves and I saw that it gave them an incredible boost! This was important for the young players, but also for the adults who came with them. Later, they walked to this flagpole with the Ukrainian flag as if they were going to church. It greatly strengthened their spirit.”
At the Gopło Kruszwca KW, Ukrainian rowers were provided with accommodation, food and access to training equipment. During their stay in Poland, they prepared for the European Junior Championships in Varese, where they achieved good results. They also took part, for example: in competitions in Bydgoszcz and the Central Junior Control Regatta in Kruszwica.
“The players had to undergo all the medical check-ups with the sports doctor so that they could row in Poland. Apart from that, we organised Easter celebrations together, and when someone had a birthday, we threw a party. Those were very nice moments!,” adds Stefan Janeczek.
