The year 2024 was a remarkable one for Lviv’s para-athletes, who showcased exceptional skills in global arenas. They participated in the Paralympic and Deaflympic Games, as well as world and European championships, earning numerous accolades.
Triumph at the XX Winter Deaflympic Games
From March 2 to 12, 2024, the XX Winter Deaflympic Games were held in Erzurum, Turkey. Eight athletes from Lviv Region participated and all returned with medals:
- Yaroslav Hulovaty – gold medalist in cross-country skiing, marking the first such award in the region’s history.
- Kateryna Yakymets – two gold medals in curling (double-mix pair and team event).
- Margarita Oprya – gold medalist in team curling.
- Tetyana Hlyvka – gold in team curling.
- Oleksandr Hats – bronze in team curling.
- Mykhailo Pleskanka – gold in double-mix pair curling.
- Roman Yefanov – bronze in team curling.
- Denys Kolb – bronze in rapid chess team game.
For these achievements, athletes received state awards:
- Order of Merit, 3rd Class – Yaroslav Hulovaty, Mykhailo Pleskanka.
- Order of Princess Olga, 3rd Class – Kateryna Yakymets, Margarita Oprya, Tetyana Hlyvka.
- Medal for Labor and Valor – Oleksandr Hats, Roman Yefanov, Denys Kolb.
Success at the Summer Paralympic Games in Paris
From August 28 to September 8, Paris hosted the XVII Summer Paralympic Games. Eight athletes from Lviv Region represented Ukraine, and three of them won medals:
- Viktor Didukh – gold in table tennis (individual tournament, class 8) and bronze in mixed doubles with Iryna Shynkaryova.
- Natalia Morkvych – silver in women’s team épée fencing.
- Pavlo Bal – bronze in handbike road race (56.8 km), the first-ever medal for Ukraine in this discipline.
Bal also earned a bronze medal in road cycling at the World Championships in Zurich.
State awards for Paralympic achievements:
- Order of Courage, 1st Class – Viktor Didukh.
- Order of Merit, 3rd Class – Pavlo Bal.
- Order of Princess Olga, 2nd Class – Natalia Morkvych.
Other Notable Achievements
Special recognition goes to Anna Kushnir, who became both European and World Champion in para-arm wrestling (right arm).
All athletes are affiliated with the Lviv Regional “Invasport” Center.
Roman Khimyak, head of Lviv’s Department of Youth and Sports, noted that 2024 was historic for Ukraine:
“The Deaflympics in Erzurum brought 19 medals, including 10 golds. At the Paralympics in Paris, Ukrainians earned 82 medals. Lviv athletes contributed significantly to these results.”