SPORT TEACHES US TO ALWAYS GIVE A HELPING HAND TO A PERSON IN NEED
“The atmosphere at the AWF was one of a mass movement: people went to the border to transport people escaping from the war and to bring relief goods, they organised collections of the most needed items. Shortly afterwards, at the beginning of March, the idea arose to host Ukrainian athletes,” says Magdalena Jeziorowska about helping Ukrainian fencers.
“In the first days of the Russian invasion, Kharkiv was massively bombed. The beautiful fencing hall there was left in ruins. We then decided to get our fellow athletes out of the city and organise a shelter for them. In Katowice, we welcomed approximately 40 players aged 15 to 20. They took only the most necessary things with them, mainly fencing equipment. They didn't know what their lives would be like in the following days and weeks. They weren't sure whether they would stay with us and continue their sports career.”
Ukrainian athletes were provided with shelter and training opportunities at the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice. Polish and Ukrainian fencers shared the training room and equipment.
“Sport teaches us the ethos of fair play and that we should always lend a hand to someone in need - even if it requires sacrifice, adapting our lives to new circumstances.
It was only when the Ukrainian fencers came to us with two bags of belongings in their hands and told us about what they had experienced that we realised – including us athletes – that we should appreciate our lives and training conditions more.
