April 27, 2022 - Nineteen rowers from the Ukrainian rowing team will be preparing in Zagreb for the 2022 World Rowing Cup in Belgrade.

Croatia continues to show a big heart and desire to help the Ukrainian people, and this time the athletes are helping. As a result of the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Rowing Federation sent a request to the Croatian Rowing Federation for help in organizing and financing the Ukrainian Rowing Team in Croatia. The HVS undertook all possible preliminary work on realizing their request and, in cooperation with the Croatian Olympic Committee, the Zagreb Sports Facilities Management Institution, the Zagreb Rowing Federation, and the Zagreb Rowing Clubs managed to meet their needs.

“As athletes, we are aware that words are never enough and that deeds are what counts. Therefore, we are honored and obliged to help our Ukrainian colleagues, and I am sure that they would have done the same if the situation had been reversed," said Damir Martin.

The President of the Croatian Rowing Federation, Branimir Bašić, also commented: “Sporting spirit is not only of a competitive nature, but sporting spirit is something much more than that, and this is best seen in moments like this. It is said that the closest description of the sport itself is "autonomy of morals", and it implies acceptance of moral principles of tolerance, humanity, respect, and understanding that helping is a human duty, coming out of ourselves, adopting human because we belong to the human race as such."

The Ukrainian rowing team, which includes 19 rowers and their team of coaches and physiotherapists, arrived in Zagreb on Monday, April 25, and will remain until the beginning of the World Rowing Cup, to be held from May 27 to 29, 2022, in Belgrade.

Well done to Croatian rowers for coming together in a time of need! 

Photos by Berislav Rožman

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