Lyudmila Blonska of Ukraine in the Heptathlon Javelin Throw (© Getty Images)
Two of Ukraine’s leading stars, World Indoor Pentathlon champion Lyudmyla Blonska, and 2007 World Championship 110m Hurdles finalist Sergiy Demydyuk come from the same city, Simferopol, and share the same coach, Svitlana Selytska.
Now in a bid to find further talents in the local area of Ukraine Selytska with the support of Blonska and Demydyuk has created a competition for teenagers. The first edition took place in the autumn of last year and it had its second outing on 20 October 2007 in which 350 participants from Simferopol and all over Crimea competed for Lyudmyla and Sergiy trophies!
“At an early age it’s very important to not lose interest in training,” confirmed Blonska, who took the World silver medal at the Heptathlon in Osaka this summer. “Therefore we have focused this competition on teenagers with children aged 11-15 taking part.”
The children take part in track and field competition over “60, 200 and 500 metres and (high and long) jumps, which by the way are my favourite,” said Blonska. “And, of course, my hurdles” chips in Demydyuk.
“We have promoted the competition among pupils of schools and the members of sports clubs,” said Demydyuk. “For us important it is important to say that we (Blonska and Demydyuk) have grown up in the same city, and that there is the chance for everyone to become successful like us.”
“We managed to involve a lot of children and even before the competition within cooperation with the sports club BIOLA, a special lesson in physical culture has been introduced into one of schools in Simferopol,” comments Blonska. “This year, the same as after last year's competitions, I specially visited regional youth competitions to see the children in action and we have decided to encourage such young talents.”
“Next year at the Olympic Games we will try to justify the hopes of our fans,” said Demydyuk, with Blonska adding that the children wished them well for their Olympic campaigns.
Demydyuk got married in the last few weeks and will now go on a honeymoon to “an exotic country, and will take as much rest and rehabilitation as necessary before the new season.”
Blonska who agreed, “rest certainly, is very important.” But also after witnessing such teenage competitions “you receive a charge of energy, in the confident knowlegde that new champions will grow in our country.”
Lena Slobodyanuk for the IAAF
