National Paralympic Winter Sports Team of Ukraine (List of athletes)

Nordic Skiing and Biathlon International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2005, 2006)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Volyn Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 20.09.1983

Kovel, Volyn region

Right hand amputation after car accident in 1991.

Started athletics in sport club of Volyn regional Centre “Invasport”. Multi-time Ukrainian Champion in athletics at 400m and 1500m. Since 2004 has been involved in winter sports that attracted Iuliia with diversity of training sessions and high achievement standards. Steadily the athlete has fought her way forward in the Paralympic Nordic Skiing Team: her first competitions and medals were at the World Cups in the period of 2004-2005.

With her debut at Paralympics 2006 she became silver medalist and tree-times bronze medalist in Nordic skiing and silver medalist in Biathlon at the Torino 2006 IX Winter Paralympic Games.

After Paralympics 2006 she is actively working on the preparation for the upcoming Games. In Pre-Games season she has reached significant results both in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon. She is a champion, silver and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and silver medalist in Biathlon after World Cup 2007; a champion, silver and three times bronze medalist at 2008 World Cup for the athletes with locomotor disability; a champion and silver medalist in Nordic Skiing at 2009 World Cup (Sjusjoen, Norway); a champion (long distance) and silver medalist (relay, middle distance) in Nordic Skiing at 2009 World Championships in Vuokatti (Finland).

In the host country of 2010 Paralympic Games Iuliia showed all her spirit and reached high results: a silver medal (long distance) in Nordic Skiing and silver medal in Biathlon at 2009 World Cup Finals at Mount-Washington (Canada); a champion (middle distance) in Nordic Skiing and bronze medalist in Biathlon at 2009 World Cup in Whistler (Canada).

Awarded with Princess Olga Order (III grade) (2006).

Coach: Storozhok Volodymyr

Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Master of Sports of Ukraine (2009)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Cherkasy Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 04.07.1988

Bilousivka village, Drabiskyy district, Cherkasy region

Inborn trauma, right hand missing.

He has been going in for sport since 5 years old – football, athletics. Grygorii has always been dreaming about sport, but could not find the right sport for himself. Two years ago started to practice skiing.

Persistence and desire to win are the main traits of the athlete. At the same time he is full of health and optimism that it might even make everyone jealous. For example, running ski course with one ski pole he never feels that the second pole is missing.

Despite the fact that Grygorii is a freshman in the National Winter Sports Team, he is a champion and silver medalist in Biathlon (long distance, pursuit) at 2009 World Cup in Norway; bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing (relay) at 2009 World Cup in Vuokatti (Finland); silver medalist in Biathlon (long distance) at 2009 World Cup Finals in Mount-Washington (Canada); a champion (long distance) in Biathlon at 2009 World Cup in Whistler (Canada).

X Winter Paralympic Games will be a debut for the athlete.

Coaches: Kazakov Valeriy, Vorchak Mykola

Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Honorable Master of Sports of Ukraine (2001, 2002)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Volyn Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 10.02.1977

Lutsk, Volyn region

At the age of 17 acquired a spinal cord injury. The bullet got in to his spinal cord and the doctors did not manage to take it out. He was For chained to bed motionlessly for a year. Not to be a burden for mother’s shoulders young Iurii moved to a nursing house where he was noticed by coaching staff of Volyn Invasport center. Iurii accepted the proposal to get involved in sports and started with powerlifting, sport orienteering and table tennis.

And he not just practices sport – he is absolutely involved in it! He spends much time for general physical trainings, regularly participates in different sport competitions and events of Volyn region. He has fulfilled the requirements for Master of Sports of Ukraine in powerlifting. After 1998 Nagano Paralympics he came to Nordic Skiing sport.

Iurii is sure that only going through pain, hardship and unwillness the tops can be reached. He forces himself to finish every issue even when it seems to be hopeless.

In 2000 Iurii entered Open International University of Human Development “Ukraina” at “Physical rehabilitation” faculty.

In 2001 he fulfilled requirements for International Master of Sports in Biathlon; he became silver medalist in Biathlon at World Cup in Salt-Lake City (USA).

He is the finalist of VIII Winter Paralympic Games in Salt-Lake City, multiple champion and medalist of Championships, World and European Cups in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in the period of 2002-2005.

Paralympics 2006 became fateful for Iurii. He insistently moved to his victory, overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles on his way. And this insistence appeared to be a good tactics for this athlete: he is a champion, silver and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and silver medalist in Biathlon at Torino 2006 Paralympic Games (Italy).

After the previous Games Iurii continues his trainings and in Pre-Games season improves his skills: silver medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2007, a champion, two-time silver medalist and bronze medalist in Biathlon and three times silver and three times bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2008 for the athletes with locomotor disability, bronze medalist in Biathlon (long distance) at World Cup 2009 in Norway, two-time bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon (relay, pursuit) at 2009 World Championships in Vuokatti (Finland).

Awarded with Order for Merit (III grade) (2006).

Coaches: Vorchak Mykola, Kazakov Valeriy

Nordic Skiing International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2009)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kyiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 27.02.1991

Shevchenkove village, Brovary district, Kyiv region

Oleksandra has inborn shortening of upper limb.

Since 2003 she has been practicing sports at Kyiv regional centre “Invasport”. Her first competition in Nordic Skiing took place in 2006 at Ukraine Cup for able-bodied with 10th position for Oleksandra. Next year Oleksandra participated in Youth Games (for able-bodied athletes) where she reached a high result – bronze medal. She won a silver medal and two bronze medals at Ukraine Championships (Club “Kolos”).

Since 2007 Oleksandra is a member of National Winter Sports team of Ukraine for athletes with locomotor disability. In 2007 she became three times champion, two-time silver and multiple bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and champion in Biathlon at World Cup 2007, later – a multiple champion, two-time silver and two-time bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and two-time silver medalist in Biathlon at World Cup 2008 for athletes with locomotor disability.

She is two-time bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing (long distance, middle distance) and silver and bronze medalist in Biathlon (pursuit, long distance) at World Cup 2009 in Norway. A champion in Biathlon (long distance) and two-time silver medalist (relay, sprint) in Nordic Skiing at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland).

Host country of Paralympics 2010 was quite favorable to Oleksandra. She got two gold medals in Biathlon and a silver medal in Nordic Skiing World Cup finals 2009 in Mount Washington (Canada) as well as two gold medals in Biathlon and one gold and bronze medal in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2009 in Whistler (Canada).

The upcoming Paralympic Games are the first Paralympics for the athlete.

Coaches: Zavedeev Anatoliy, Storozhok Volodymyr

Involved in Alpine Skiing Trainings at Kyiv City Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 25.04.1983

Kyiv

Ievgen became a disable person after an accident: being a child he had a train accident and as a result – amputation. Doctors were lucky to graft one leg which he uses currently for high speed races on alpine hills.

He started to practice alpine skiing two years ago, in 2007. From 2001 till 2003 he had been practicing powerlifting with his highest result the 4th position at Ukrainian Championships.

Ievgen took part at Austrian 2009 Open Championships, became a finalist at European Alpine Skiing Cup in 2009. In January 2010 he became a finalist at France Open Alpine Skiing Cup 2010 for athletes with locomotor disability. The result of the athlete – two 6th positions in Gigant Slalom.

Competitions of the Х Winter Paralympic Games will be a real debut for the athlete; it is the first time that this sport will be presented by the National Winter Sports Team of Ukraine.

Coach: Lobas Nataliia

Athletics International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2005)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Lviv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 07.11.1984

Lviv

This athlete has left hand amputation after an accident. Being 7 years old Oleg was injured by electricity power broken wire, the boy wanted to throw it away so that cattle on filed not to be injured. The trauma was very serious, Oleg was between death and life…But despite everything he managed to survive! His persistence and strength of helped him to enter Lviv Veterinary Academy where he is studying at the medical faculty.

Since 2001 he has been going in for athletics at Children and Youth Sports School “Halychyna”. He was participating in several World Championships. In 2005 he became a medalist of Athletics European Open Championships.

Despite the fact that Oleg has been practicing Nordic Skiing and Biathlon since 2008, he was a participant of World Cup 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Sjusjoen (Norway); participant of 2009 World Championships in Vuokatti (Finland) (9th position in Nordic Skiing – long distance) among the athletes with locomotor disability.

Competitions of the Х Winter Paralympic Games will be debut for the athlete.

Coaches: Storozhok Volodymyr, Vorchak Mykola

Nordic Skiing Honorable International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2006)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport” in cooperation with Sumy Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 15.05.1978

Sumy

Vitaliy has visual impairments. With minimal visual impairment he was involved in Nordic skiing for the able-bodied. When later his health conditions got significantly worse (in coordination and movements) he moved to the Paralympic sports.

Since 1997 he has been practicing sports at Sumy Regional Center Invasport. Vitaliy graduated from Kharkiv Pedagogical Institute, faculty of physical culture.

He participated in the 1998 Paralympics in Nagano. Vitaliy is a multiple champion and medalist at Championships and World Cups for winter sports in the period of 1999-2001, a multiple medalist at World Cups and World Championships in 2003-2005.

As a member of the National Paralympic Team of Ukraine he won a bronze medal in Nordic Skiing (5 km) in Salt-Lake City (USA). In 2006 he won gold and silver medal in Biathlon and bronze medal in Nordic Skiing at the IX Winter Paralympic Games in Torino (Italy).

A champion and silver medalist (Biathlon) and silver and bronze medalist (Nordic Skiing) at World Cup 2007 in winter sports for visually impaired; two-time champion, silver and bronze medalist in Biathlon and two-time champion and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at 2008 World Cup; a champion and silver medalist in Biathlon (pursuit, long distance) at World Cup 2009 in Norway; silver and bronze medalist in Biathlon (pursuit, long distance) and bronze medalist (relay) in Nordic Skiing at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland).

Canadian land brought 4 medals for Vitaliy: he is two-time silver medalist in Biathlon and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup finals 2009 in Mount Washington (Canada); bronze medalist in Biathlon (long distance at World Cup 2009 in Whistler (Canada).

Awarded with Ukraine President’s Order for Merit (III and II grades).

Coaches: Kazakov Valeriy, Ivanov Volodymyr

Nordic Skiing Honorable International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2002).

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kirovograd Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth 04.03.1966

Kirovograd

Totally blind from birth.

Representing Russia he won gold, silver and bronze medals in 1998 during the Paralympic Games in Nagano. He acquired the International Master of Sports and received the “Friendship” Order in Russia.

Having got married to Ukrainian girl from Kirovograd region he added to his Russian success some medals in the name of Ukraine. As a member of the National Paralympic Team of Ukraine at 2002 Salt Lake Paralympics (USA) two bronze medals in Nordic Skiing (5 km, 10 km) were added to his sports career achievements that presently counts more then 30 medals won in Championships and World Cups in 2003-2005.

In 2006 at Torino Winter Paralympic Games (Italy) he won gold and bronze medals in Nordic Skiing.

In Pre-Games period he became two-time bronze medalist at World cups 2007 in winter sports for athletes with visual impairments (Biathlon); a finalist at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland) (5th position in Nordic Skiing, long distance); a participant of World Cup 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway (7th position in Biathlon).

Awarded with Ukraine President’s Order for Merit (III and II grades).

Coaches: Storozhok Volodymyr, Babar Borys

Nordic Skiing Honorable International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2005).

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 16.09.1981

Kharkiv

This athlete has locomotor disability - cerebral palsy consequences.

Graduated from Kharkiv Accountings and Economics College.

Lyudmyla has been practicing winter sports since 2002. She believes that under a supervision of her personal coach Mykola Vorchak she steadily moved towards entering the National Paralympic team.

Multiple champion and prize-winner of Nordic Skiing and Biathlon World Cup and Championships. One of the team leaders at 2006 Paralympics.

Lyudmyla treats Biathlon as a real friend – attentively, open-heartedly and with a great deal of respect. It takes one’s breath away to watch her persistence at the trainings, open-heart and optimistic character which appeared at Paralympics 2006: she became silver and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and two-times bronze medalist in Biathlon at Torino 2006 Paralympic Games (Italy) among the athletes with locomotor disability.

After the previous Games she continues to train and such trainings helped her to reach significant results. Lyudmyla is a champion and silver medalist in Biathlon and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2009 in Sjusjoen, Norway; silver and bronze medalist in Biathlon and two-time bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland).

Host country of Paralympics 2010 – Canada – was favorable to the athlete. She became two-time bronze medalist in Biathlon at World Cup finals 2009 in Mount Washington (Canada), a champion and silver medalist in Biathlon at World Cup 2009 in Whistler (Canada).

Awarded with Princess Olga Order (III grade) (2006).

Coaches: Vorchak Volodymyr, Kazakov Valeriy

Nordic Skiing Master of Sports Candidate of Ukraine

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kyiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 21.06.1986

Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy, Kyiv region

A wheelchair user. In November 2004 at the age of 18 he received a spinal cordial trauma as a result of compressive spinal cordial fracture.

Graduated from Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy Pedagogical University named after Grygoriy Skovoroda (in 2009).

He has been practicing sports since 2007. In 2008 he became a candidate to the National Paralympic Winter Sports Team of Ukraine for athletes with locomotor disability.

During two years of his participation in winter sports he reached significant results: in 2008 he was a participant of World Cup in Germany.

In 2009: a finalist of World Cup 2009 in Biathlon in Sjusjoen, Norway – 4th position in pursuit, a participant of World Championships 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Vuokatti (Finland) among athletes with locomotor disability (9th position in long distance).

Competitions of the Х Winter Paralympic Games will be his debut.

Coaches: Kazakov Valeriy, Vorchak Mykola

Nordic Skiing Master of Sports Candidate of Ukraine

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 03.02.1988

Mykolaivka village, Vasylkiv district, Dnipropetrovsk region

He got a trauma after an accident and lost a hand.

In 2008 Vitalii graduated from Kharkiv Accounting and Economics colleague, currently he is a second-year student at Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture. Started to practice sport in 2005.

This athlete is a participant of World Cup 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway where he took 9th position in Biathlon; a participant of Nordic Skiing and Biathlon World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland) for locomotor disabled athletes (11th position, Biathlon).

The Х Winter Paralympic Games will be the fist Paralympics for the athlete.

Coaches: Storozhok Volodymyr, Vorchak Mykola

Nordic Skiing Master of Sports of Ukraine (2009)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 05.05.1975

Zaberezhya village, Bogoradchanskyy district, Ivano-Frankivsk region

This athlete has locomotor disability (paraplegia), she is a wheelchair user.

Nadiia became a disabled person after an accident on January 05, 1998: the girl felt down from the tree searching for a good Christmas tree and as a result – spinal cord injury. As she was alone in the forest, she spent the whole night on the snow. Only in the morning a forester found her. After this tragic accident a young and beautiful girl became a disabled person (I group) with locomotor impairment.

It was physical culture and sport that helped Nadiia to overcome lots of difficulties on her way and reach certain results.

The athlete is multiple bronze medalist at World Cup 2008 in winter sports (Biathlon); a finalist at World Cup 2009 in Norway – 5th position; a finalist of World Championships 2009 (6th position in Nordic Skiing, 5th position in Biathlon) among athletes with locomotor disability.

Participation in Х Winter Paralympic Games will be debut for the athlete.

Coaches: Tsomko V., Kazakov Valeriy

Candidate to Biathlon International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2009)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Chernigiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 12.09.1969

Chernigiv

In 2001 there was a car accident on Tetyana’s way to Kyiv. The bus collided with the track which carried scrap metal. As a result of the accident Tetyana lost two lower limbs. She is a wheelchair user now.

She has been practicing Nordic Skiing and Biathlon since 2007 after her participation in sport and rehabilitation camp at the National Centre for Paralympic and Deaflympic preparations and rehabilitation of the disabled in Yevpatoriya.

In two years of trainings she reached high results in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon. The athlete is bronze medalist in Biathlon (pursuit) at World Championships 2009 in Norway; bronze medalist in Biathlon (pursuit) at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland).

Participation in the Х Winter Paralympic Games will be a real debut for the athlete.

Coaches: Storozhok Volodymyr, Vorchak Mykola

Nordic Skiing Honorable Master of Sports of Ukraine (2002)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kyiv Regional Centre “Invasport” in cooperation with Kyiv City Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 09.12.1966

Kryukivshchyna village, Kyiv-Svyatoshyno district, Kyiv region

In her youth Svitlana has gone through the spinal cord surgery. Unfortunately, the consequences were negative and Svitlana found herself in a wheelchair. Today she cannot move on her legs.

In 1988 she started with her famous sport – swimming, she became a multiple champion of the Soviet Union in this sport. In 1991 she tried wheelchair racing and for the decade was an irreplaceable champion and record-holder in marathon and track racing. In 1996 she became a finalist at Atlanta Paralympics.

In 1998 she debuted at 1998 Nagano Paralympics with a bronze medal.

Alongside with her love to winter sports – Nordic Skiing and Biathlon – in 1998 Svitlana started practicing a new sport for her – powerlifting within Dnipropetrovsk Invasport Center. In 1999 she became a European champion getting a qualification slot for Sidney Paralympics where she also participated.

At Salt Lake City Paralympic Svitlana became a team leader of Ukrainian team with three silver medals and one bronze medal in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon.

In 2005 at World Championships Svitlana won two silver and two bronze medals in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon which became a background for her successful participation in Torino 2006 Winter Paralympics. Svitlana won silver and bronze medal there in Biathlon.

She is bronze medalist in Biathlon (long distance) at World Cup 2009 in Norway; a finalist at World Championships 2009 in Biathlon (4th position in long distance) in Vuokatti (Finland).

Awarded with Ukraine President’s Order for Merit (III and II grade), Princess Olga Order (III grade).

Coaches: Kazakov Valeriy, Vorchak Mykola

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 03.08.1990

Kharkiv

Visual impairment has been observed since childhood and as a result he got a status of a disabled person from childhood.

In 2003 he started practicing sports while studying in Kharkiv boarding school #12 for visually impaired children which he successfully finished in 2009. In 2009 he entered Kharkiv Veterinary Academy.

This athlete is a participant of World Championships 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway (9th position, pursuit); a finalist of World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland) (8th in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon).

Paralympic Games 2010 will be the first Paralympics for the athlete.

Coaches: Vorchak Mykola, Kazakov Valeriy

Nordic Skiing International Master of Sports of Ukraine (2005)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Chernigiv Regional Centre “Invasport” in cooperation with Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 25.11.1978

Chernigiv

In 1995 he got a trauma and as a result – amputation of both legs.

Graduated from Kharkiv Accounting and Economics College and entered Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy State Pedagogical University named after Grygoriy Skovoroda.

He has been practicing sports since 2002. In 2003 he started his sports carrier and his first international participation resulted in 11th position in Nordic Skiing at World Championships 2003 (Germany).

The athlete successfully debuted at Paralympics 2006 and became a bronze medalist in Biathlon at Torino 2006 Paralympic Games (Italy).

After the Games 2006 he continues to train hard and as a result he became two-time bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon at World Cup 2008 among athlete with locomotor disability. Sergiy is a champion and silver medalist at World Championships 2009 in Biathlon (long distance, pursuit) in Vuokatti (Finland); a bronze medalist in Biathlon (long distance) at World Cup finals 2009 in Mount Washington (Canada).

Awarded with Order for Courage (III grade) (2006).

Coaches: Vorchak Mykola, Kazakov Valeriy

Biathlon Master of Sports Candidate of Ukraine (2009)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 10.06.1991

Kharkiv

Visually impaired athlete. Being 10 years old her visual conditions became worse and as a result she obtained a status of a disabled person from childhood.

Being a pupil of the Kharkiv boarding school #2 for visually impaired children which she finished in 2009 Oksana started practicing Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in 2004. In 2009 she became a first-year student at Kharkiv Veterinary Academy.

Oksana is a finalist of World Cup 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway (4th and 6th position in Biathlon, 8th position in Nordic Skiing); a finalist of World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland) (4th position in Biathlon, long distance) among the athletes with visual impairments.

Paralympic Games 2010 will be the first Paralympics for the athlete.

Coach: Vorchak Mykola

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Trainings at Kharkiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 04.10.1990

Kharkiv

Dmytro has inborn visual impairment.

Being a pupil of the Kharkiv boarding school #2 for visually impaired children which he finished in 2009 Dmytro started practicing Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in 2001. In 2009 he became a first-year student at Kharkiv Veterinary Academy.

The athlete is a finalist of World Cup 2009 in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon in Norway (8th position, long distance); a finalist at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland) (8th position in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon).

Paralympic Games 2010 will be the first Paralympics for the athlete.

Coaches: Vorchak Mykola, Kazakov Valerii

.Nordic Skiing Honorable Master of Sports of Ukraine (2002)

Involved in Nordic Skiing and Biathlon trainings at Kyiv Regional Centre “Invasport”

Date of birth: 27.09.1983

Kryukivshchyna village, Kyiv-Svyatoshyno district, Kyiv region

After chickenpox disease at the age of 3 Olena had her both legs amputated.

Olena is a student of Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyy State Pedagogical University named after Grygoriy Skovoroda.

In 1996 she started practicing Sitting Volleyball and afterwards Table Tennis at Kyiv Regional Centre “Invasport”. In 1988 she took part in Ukraine Sitting Volleyball Championships for the first time, where the team gained the 3rd place. National Table Tennis Championships brought her again the 3rd place. In 1999 again she took part in Ukraine Sitting Volleyball Championships, where the team gained the 2nd place and participation in Ukraine Table Tennis Championships brought her 3rd place. In 1999 she also took part in Junior Sitting Volleyball Festival in Holland. There Ukraine Team won the 1st place.

In 2000 she got involved in Nordic skiing and Biathlon. And in 2001 she took part in two World Cups in Sweden where she had 7th position and in the USA 8th and 2nd position.

Salt Lake Paralympics launched her new stage of victories; there she won 1 silver medal in Biathlon on 7,5 km, bronze medals in Nordic Skiing on 2,5 km, 5 km and 10 km.

She hasn’t left her Sitting Volleyball team though; when necessity comes she switches from winter to summer sports and helps her colleagues in Sitting Volleyball. In 2004 at Athens Paralympics Olena won the fifth place with Ukraine Women Sitting Volleyball Team.

After Paralympics 2004 Olena understood that Winter sports are not only her vocation but a passionate necessity. It was in 2004 that Iurkovska became two-time champion, four times silver medalist and three times bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup. In 2005 she became silver and bronze medalist in Biathlon and two-time silver medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Championships.

In 2006 at IX Winter Paralympic Games in Torino (Italy) she won 4 gold medals: two in Nordic Skiing and two in Biathlon and became silver and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing. The Organizing Committee of Torino Paralympic Games awarded Olena Iurkovska with a special gold medal as the best athlete of the IX Paralympic Games.

After Torino Paralympic Games Olena was awarded with Ukraine highest state award– the title of the Hero of Ukraine with State Order presentation. Later Olena was nominated by an international sports community to the “Sport star” award (launched by the International Olympic Committee) as the world’s best athlete who implements Olympic and Paralympic values. This award was presented to Olena in Lozano (Switzerland) after Torino Paralympic Games, in April 2006.

In the next Pre-Games period Iurkovska is two-time silver medalist at World Cup 2007 in Nordic Skiing; a multiple champion in Biathlon and two-time silver and multiple bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2008. She is a champion in Nordic Skiing and a champion and two-time silver medalist in Biathlon at World Cup 2009 in Norway. A champion (sprint) and two-time silver medalist (long distance, middle distance) in Nordic Skiing and two-time champion in Biathlon (pursuit, long distance) at World Championships 2009 in Vuokatti (Finland). A champion (long distance) and silver medalist (7,5 km) in Biathlon and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup finals 2009 in Mount Washington (Canada). A champion and bronze medalist in Biathlon and a champion and bronze medalist in Nordic Skiing at World Cup 2009 in Whistler (Canada).

Olena is a leader of the National Paralympic Team of Ukraine.

Hero of Ukraine. Awarded with Princess Olga Order (III grade).

Coaches: Kazakov Valeriy, Vorchak Mykola