Ukrainian wrestlers to train in Hoosier State
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The Ukrainian Greco-Roman Olympic wrestling team will call Indiana home for the next three weeks. Governor Eric Holcomb’s office says Hammond Central High School will serve as the team’s summer training location.
The team is arriving Thursday and will train at the school until August 3.
Governor Eric Holcomb’s office says the governor and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers met with the Ambassador of Ukraine at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington in March, two weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
Holcomb offered to help in any way possible.
“We are so happy to play our small part in providing these world-class athletes with refuge to continue their training in such a fantastic facility,” said Holcomb. “This confirms what we have known all along – that our strongest state export has, and always will be, our Hoosier Hospitality.”
The state, Indiana Sports Corp, and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority collaborated to bring the wrestling squad to northwest Indiana.
The Olympic athletes will use the high school facility which opened in 2021. It includes a weight room, track, gymnasium, and pool.
“Northwest Indiana and the SSCVA are honored to be hosting the Ukrainian Olympic athletes,” said David Uran, president and chief executive officer of the SSCVA. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the region to extend our Hoosier hospitality while we assist these athletes to reach their Olympic dreams.”
The Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling team has been very successful on the Olympic mat. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestlers earned a gold and silver medal.
During the stay, the Ukrainian squad will have joint training sessions and meetings with local wrestlers.