Kiev, 22nd October EOC President Patrick Hickey has paid an official visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the National Olympic Committee, this being his third trip to the country, where he took part in the III Ukrainian Sports Congress, which was held last Friday under the patronage of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, with around 500 participants from across the country, gathered to discuss current issues and build strategies for national sport for the next 10 years, at which he spoke about the current aims of the Olympic movement and how the IOC and EOC aim to improve development and cooperation with the NOCs.
Speaking about the Congress, Hickey said, “the Congress was organized at a very high level. Your National Olympic Committee is among the best NOCs of the European countries, and Ukrainian athletes are known for their successful performances, including Olympic Games. Sergey Bubka is my IOC colleague and a good friend. You are lucky that he chairs the Olympic movement in your country. The NOC initiates and conducts very interesting projects. I believe that the application to hold the 2022 Olympic Games in Lviv will be a significant step forward not only for Ukrainian sport but for the whole country”.
The EOC President met with Ukrainian athletes, champions and Olympic medalists, visited the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, and cultural and historical attractions in the capital.
NOC President Bubka also invited Patrick Hickey to the NOC headquarters as honorary guest at the traditional NOC ceremony for the award of the best athlete and coach of the month, where the two awarded Yana Dementieva, European Champion (rowing, women quadruple sculls) with a diploma and a statuette.