Torontonians begin fund raising for Nagano Olympics (10/12/97)

Torontonians begin fund raising for Nagano Olympics

by Yuriy Diakunchak
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

TORONTO - The Nagano Olympics are only a few months away, and the effort to help Ukrainian athletes compete with the rest of the world continues. On September 14 about 350 people gathered at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Christie Street for a dinner to support the Olympic fund-raising drive.

Though Ukraine isn't exactly a winter Olympic powerhouse (at the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Ukraine garnered only two medals: a bronze for Valentyna Tserbe in the biathlon, and a gold for Oksana Baiul in figure skating), officials intend to send 56 athletes to Japan in early 1998. The contingent will compete in all sports apart from hockey and curling. In order for the athletes to make a good showing, they'll need equipment, clothing, accommodations, and the services of trainers and other officials. To this end, the Canadian Friends of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (CFNOCU), organizers of the dinner, have already spent $21,000.

"I want to thank all of you in the name of the Ukrainian Olympic committee," said Volodymyr Kulyk, first deputy chair of the National Olympic Committee Ukraine (NOCU), keynote speaker for the evening. Mr. Kulyk thanked the various organizations and individuals across Canada and the U.S. who have helped raise funds for Ukraine's sports teams. Larysa Barabash-Temple, who coordinated the Ukrainian team's stay in Atlanta in 1996, was singled out for special praise. "How this small, dainty woman was able to organize the events so expertly I don't know," Mr. Kulyk said, bowing low to Ms. Barabash-Temple's parents sitting in the audience. Mr. Kulyk's speech made it clear that Ukraine's sport establishment is working for the good of the country, particularly in terms of polishing its image. "We want people to know that Ukraine isn't just a bunch of mafiosi," Mr. Kulyk said.

The NOCU official also fueled hopes that eventually Ukraine would pay its own way to the podium. Mr. Kulyk claimed Ukraine would return the money to the diaspora by the year 2000 in the form of programs for diasporan students in Ukrainian universities. "Ukraine should be helping the diaspora," Mr. Kulyk said.

In the meantime, the diaspora has chipped in what it can. The $21,000 has already been spent on accommodations and other preparations for athletes so they can arrive in Nagano three weeks early and acclimatize. But fund-raisers say more is needed. "We need at least $50,000 all told," said Stan Haba, CFNOCU president and one of the event's organizers. Between January 1994 and December 1996, the CFNOCU collected over $150,000. Most of that money went to the Olympic effort in Atlanta.

Mykola Kyrychenko, Ukraine's newly appointed consul general in Toronto, was the evening's other headliner. "Ukrainian athletes need the diaspora," he said. "I hope your help is minted in the gold, silver and bronze of Olympic medals."

Mr. Haba said the CFNOCU sends no cash to Ukraine. All the money raised by the organization is paid directly to the companies providing the equipment and services, so the chances of funds being diverted by unscrupulous officials is minimized.

Besides the Nagano Games, the organization is also trying to raise money for a machine that tests athletes for blood doping. Currently, many Ukrainian athletes must travel to Russia for the required testing.

Those who wish to help the effort can send donations to CFNOCU, c/o Stan Haba, 5428 Middleport Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 3V2.

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