This past weekend (14th – 16th July) OCEANMAN made history by holding a unique sporting event in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine. Amidst the difficult realities of war, the competition provided the more than 800 participants and thousands of spectators with a much-needed escape and a celebration of unity and resilience.
The OCEANMAN event in Kyiv marked a significant milestone by becoming the first international sports competition to be held in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The city of Kyiv was able to forget for a weekend the harsh reality they are living: constant anti-aircraft alarms, barricades on every corner, remains of Russian tanks in the middle of the street, curfew… “The situation here in Kyiv is very delicate, to see first-hand the day-to-day reality of the people here and have them tell you their stories is really shocking” said Fermín Egido, CEO of OCEANMAN. “It was quite a challenge to be able to organize this event, but it has been worth all the efforts to be able to give the people of Ukraine a chance to disconnect, even if only for a few hours from the very complicated reality they are living.”
It should be noted that the OCEANMAN race in Ukraine was normally held in Odesa, but due to the dangerous situation on the coast, which is full of mines, the decision was made to move it to Kyiv.
The race not only captivated Ukrainian participants, but also aroused the interest of people from all over the world who wanted to show their support. OCEANMAN offered a virtual registration option, allowing people from different parts of the world to join in solidarity with Ukraine. This virtual swim allowed participants to show their support for the cause and contribute to fundraising efforts aimed at helping the Ukrainian people in these difficult times.
A portion of the proceeds generated from the event will go to support the people of Ukraine, providing hope and much needed assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict. OCEANMAN is proud to contribute to this cause and provide a platform for people from different countries and nationalities to come together in solidarity with the resilient people of Ukraine.
The success of the OCEANMAN event in Kyiv demonstrates the power of sport to bring joy, unity and hope, even in the midst of adversity.
