The Independence Day of Ukraine was celebrated in the summer camp of the City Hall of Athens with support from the Charitable Foundation “The Future for Children”, the Embassy of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic, the Hellenic-Ukrainian Chamber and the City Hall of Athens. The event was organised for the young athletes from the affected regions of Ukraine who are in Greece training as a part of the Olympic Dreams 2022 International project.

"Independence Day is one of the main holidays of Ukraine. This year it took on a special meaning because today, Ukrainians are fighting to preserve their independence. It is important not to forget what we are fighting for. Children are the future of our country, today it is necessary to do everything not only to provide them with protection and safety but also to provide opportunities for their development. To create conditions so they can live a normal life, like millions of their peers worldwide. That is why projects such as the Olympic Dreams 2022 are necessary and timely," said Ambassador of the Embassy of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic Serhiy Shutenko.

The City Hall of Athens also joined the celebration, inviting the young Ukrainian athletes to their city, where they had the opportunity to train for a further two weeks in a specialised sports camp and prepare for future European tournaments and championships. The children were waiting for a celebration and treats and an excursion to the Acropolis - a gift from the vice-mayor of Athens.

"We are very grateful to the Embassy of Ukraine to the Hellenic Republic and the City Hall of Athens for supporting our Olympic Dreams 2022 project and helping us so effectively. The children who will continue their training in Greece are our future champions who will defend the honour of our country on sports grounds worldwide," Anatoliy Boyko, patron of "The Future for Children" Foundation, noted.

We are reminded that with the support of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Charitable Foundation "The Future for Children" and philanthropist Anatoliy Boyko, more than 100 young athletes from Irpen, Bucha, Gostomel and other affected places of Ukraine have been spending this summer in systematic training in safe and sunny Greece, under the leadership of coaches Karen Balayan, Oleksandra Starkova and Yevgenia Shcherbak.

On July 26, the NOC of Ukraine and the Foundation organized the Olympic Dreams 2022 international project with a friendly judo tournament among athletes from Ukraine, Greece and Cyprus in the city of Loutraki (Greece) at the Sport Camp Youth Sports and Training Center.