Barrier-Free Week in Odesa Ended with the Event "Sport for All"
«Our goal is to create a city where everyone can live without barriers and feel comfortable», stated Odesa's mayor, Gennady Trukhanov.
The Week of Accessibility, declared at the national level in Ukraine, concluded in Odesa with a vibrant event titled «Sports Without Barriers». Throughout the day, Odesa residents had the opportunity to participate in inclusive sports activities, workshops, and outdoor training sessions that were open to all, regardless of health conditions.
«We are striving to create a society where everyone can live, work, and develop without hindrance. This initiative has been supported by our President and the First Lady of Ukraine. We work daily to eliminate barriers in all areas of life. We pay particular attention to our veterans, as for them, sports represent a key to integrating into civilian life,» added Gennady Trukhanov.
According to the city mayor's advisor on accessibility issues, Alexey Morozov, the week was incredibly productive and started with the launch of construction works on the pedestrian section of the inclusive route «North - South» - the largest pedestrian area of its kind in Ukraine, part of the National Project «Movement Without Barriers».
Moreover, experts inspected key locations along the inclusive route, including recreational infrastructure along the coast. Currently, an updated inclusive beach at the 11th station of the Great Fountain is being prepared for opening, alongside a sports area where people with disabilities can train. Plans are underway for the construction of a large inclusive swimming pool, as sea waves can pose significant challenges for many individuals with disabilities.
«We can confidently say that accessibility is a city development strategy, realized through concrete decisions and thoughtful space organization. The Accessibility Council, consisting of veterans and people with disabilities, sets the priorities for our work,» emphasized Alexey Morozov.
It is worth noting that Odesa has achieved considerable success in the field of adaptive sports. Recently, the Odesa veteran rowing team returned from Greece, where they successfully completed a long route across the Aegean Sea. The athletes also participated in a friendly regatta called «Heroes' Regatta - 2025» in Dnipro, organized for the Day of Heroes of Ukraine. Furthermore, adaptive sports such as billiards, Thai boxing, golf, and others are actively developing.
«Everything we are doing now takes into account the needs of people with disabilities, veterans, and limited mobility groups. From infrastructure and recreational areas to cultural initiatives and sports. Our goal is a city without barriers, where everyone feels dignified and comfortable,» concluded Gennady Trukhanov.
