A large-scale sporting event for 1345 first-year students of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy – the Olympic Lesson – took place at the Central Stadium in Cherkasy on September 5, 2025.

This traditional event is annually organized by the Educational-Scientific Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Health and the Sports Club “Bohdan” of BKNUC to inspire young people to lead an active lifestyle and to instil a love of sports. This year, it was held in partnership with the Department of Family, Youth and Sports Affairs of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, the regional branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the municipal enterprise MSC “Dnipro” and the Central Stadium, the regional branch of Physical Education and Sports of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Cherkasy Regional Organization of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine.

The celebration began with a ceremonial march, during which students and lecturers of the university carried the flag of Ukraine, the Olympic flag, the university flag, and the flags of their educational and scientific institutes. This symbolic parade created a genuine atmosphere of unity and solemnity.

“Our university values ​​traditions and one of these traditions is the Olympic Lesson. We would like first-year students to understand that they have chosen an educational institution with strong sporting traditions, which has raised many Olympic champions. Today, when the Russian-Ukrainian war is ongoing, I would like to remember the students and lecturers, athletes who joined the Defence Forces in the first days of the invasion: among them Bohdan Artemenko, champion of Ukraine, Master of Sports, coach of the MSC “Dnipro” volleyball team, and Denys Nechyporenko, multiple medallist of the Ukrainian championships and various European competitions. I would also like to mention Roman Shcherbatiuk, winner of the World Games in China, a graduate of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Health, and now a student of the Psychology Department, who also continues to pursue sports while serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Once again, we thank the Armed Forces for the opportunity to continue the educational process, to shape a new sporting elite of the Ukrainian nation,” said First Vice-Rector Vasyl Moisiienko in his address to the participants of the Olympic Lesson.

Together with the distinguished guests, among whom were representatives of the regional authorities and prominent Ukrainian athletes, vice-rectors, institute directors, lecturers, and first-year students, the community honoured the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine. A moment of silence and the National Anthem of Ukraine were observed in memory of the fallen soldiers, including 47 students and alumni of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy.

Ivan Solodkyi, Head of the Department of Family, Youth and Sports Affairs of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, addressed the first-year students:

“It is very gratifying that Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy begins its academic year with the Olympic Lesson. BKNUC has long been a flagship of sports education not only in the Cherkasy region, but also in Ukraine and worldwide. Therefore, continue to uphold the strong traditions established at the university.”

Multiple champion and medallist of the Paralympic Games Anton Skachkov emphasized the importance of sports for physical and spiritual development:

“Sport helps to integrate into society, brings joy and recognition. Sport strengthens health. Therefore, I encourage everyone to engage in physical culture and sports, and today I wish everyone positive emotions from this event.”

Also present at the event were Yurii Honcharov, Director of the municipal enterprise MSC “Dnipro” of the Cherkasy City Council, Viktor Smyrnov, Hero of Ukraine, multiple champion of the Paralympic Games, BKNUC alumnus, Oleksandr Driha, multiple champion and medallist of the Paralympic Games in athletics, Roman Danyliuk, champion and world record holder among Paralympians, bronze medallist at the 2016 Paralympic Games in the shot put, student of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Health of BKNUC, Vadym Maznichenko, BKNUC graduate, multiple medallist of international competitions, Valentyn Demianenko, Olympic Games medallist, multiple European and world champion, Ivan Ursta, Executive Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine in Cherkasy region, Volodymyr Khymych, Director of the Sports Club “Bohdan” at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy.

The main part of the event was the introduction of freshmen to various Olympic sports. In total, 12 locations were set up, where students could try their hand at: fencing, volleyball, rowing, boxing, wrestling, cycling, fitness, arm wrestling, weightlifting, mini-football, badminton, and shooting.

Students moved from one station to another, each time learning more about the rules, features, and advantages of each sport. At the end of the event, each participant received the “BKNUC Freshman’s Calendar” – a kind of student life guide with the key sports message of 2025: Start confidently! Finish successfully!

“In the years of full-scale war, the Olympic Lesson for freshmen takes on special significance. After all, only a healthy nation can effectively resist the enemy. We strengthen the body and temper the spirit, following the example of our Olympians and Paralympians. For decades, our university has been training such athletes.

This day, true sports legends of BKNUC and Cherkasy were with us. These are servicemen who, despite having lost limbs in combat, prove daily that the strength of spirit overcomes physical limitations.

We are also proud of our students and alumni who defend Ukraine at the front while also bringing glory to our country in sports.

Today, our first-year students were inspired by the example of BKNUC graduates – multiple champions of the Paralympic Games.

I thank the Educational-Scientific Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Health, the Sports Club “Bohdan”, the Department of Educational Work, and the heads of institutes and faculties under the leadership of Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Public Activities Halyna Havryliuk for organizing this event.

Let us maintain our physical and mental health and prepare active youth to live in independent, peaceful Ukraine!” summarized Rector Oleksandr Cherevko.

The Olympic Lesson became an optimistic start to the academic year for the first-year students, inspiring them to victories both in their studies and in sports.

Press Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy

Photos by: Sofiia Rymska, 2^nd-year PR student, the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications

Video by: Anna Kuiumdzhy, 2^nd-year Journalism student, Ariana Hryshchenko, 4^th-year Journalism student, the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications