Ukrainian Veterans' Team Competes in Sports Trials
The Ukrainian national veterans' team will participate in the annual sports trials for injured servicemen and veterans of the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps.
The events will take place from February 20 to March 3, showcasing the skills of the Ukrainian team across various sports.
The Air Force and Marine Corps Trials serve as internal selection events in the U.S. Based on these results, teams are formed to compete in the Warrior Games — a multiservice competition involving the Army, Special Operations Forces, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
While Ukrainian athletes will not compete for a spot in the Warrior Games, they are invited as an international team to enhance the competition format and exchange experiences in veteran sports. Teams from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom are also participating. The Ukrainian team consists of 15 athletes competing in 11 different sports.
Among the participants is veteran Valeriy Stalnichenko from Odesa, who will compete in basketball, rugby, volleyball, and archery.
The format of the Air Force and Marine Corps Trials is designed to accommodate the abilities of injured service members, ensuring fair and safe competition for veterans.
Each year, the trials are held at various U.S. military bases, depending on which service branch is hosting the event. In 2024, the Ukrainian team previously participated in the Air Force and Marine Corps Trials in Las Vegas, marking an important milestone for our veterans' team.
Athletes will compete in the following disciplines:
- wheelchair basketball,
- wheelchair rugby,
- sitting volleyball,
- archery,
- rowing on machines,
- athletics,
- powerlifting,
- cycling,
- swimming,
- rifle shooting — a new and particularly exciting discipline for our team.
Such formats ensure that veteran sports become not just a one-time event, but a sustainable support system, respecting the experience and strength of those who defended Ukraine.
The formation, preparation, and participation of the Ukrainian team are conducted by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in collaboration with the initiative center "Come Back Alive" as part of the implementation of the veteran policy strategy.
