The President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine, Igor Lysov, held the traditional meeting with the national team athletes and coaching staff at the start of the new season.

During the meeting, the Federation President thanked the team for their dedication and the outstanding results achieved by Ukrainian athletes in 2025. Both the senior and junior national teams finished as the best overall teams at the European Championships, while Oleksii SEREDA won the silver medal at the World Championships, the best individual result of his career. Крім того, Олексій Середа виборов срібну нагороду чемпіонату світу, що стало найкращим особистим результатом у його кар’єрі.

As recognition of their achievements in 2025, the athletes and coaches also received financial bonuses from Igor Lysov, President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine.

“My dream is to hear the Ukrainian national anthem played at the Olympic Games. I promise substantial rewards from the Federation’s main sponsor for the athlete who fulfils this dream, as well as for their coach,” said Igor Lysov.

The Federation President also outlined the team’s primary objective for the coming years: to secure Olympic qualification in all synchronised diving events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He stressed that the team must continue building on its momentum and keep moving forward with confidence.

“It is time to shift our focus from quantity to quality. The task ahead is not an easy one, but we must prepare properly. As President of the Federations, I have done everything possible—and will continue to do so—to ensure that you have everything you need. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine for providing full financial support to our sport,” Igor Lysov added.

The meeting marked an important beginning to the new season and once again reaffirmed the ambitious goals of Ukraine’s divers as they prepare for the upcoming international competitions.

Oleksii SEREDA has been included in the UP100 – Ukraine’s 100 Most Influential People ranking by Ukrainska Pravda, receiving recognition in the Sport category.

This honour is far more than a place in a ranking. It is recognition of Oleksii’s extraordinary dedication, resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence, qualities he continues to demonstrate despite the many challenges faced by Ukraine.

This year alone, Ukraine’s star diver won silver at the World Championships and became a three-time European champion.

For the third time, Ukrainska Pravda has presented its UP100 list, celebrating one hundred Ukrainians who are shaping the country’s independence and future.

2025 has been a year of difficult choices. Ukrainians have learned to live on the edge—between exhaustion and strength, compromise and principle, adaptation and staying true to themselves. Every decision has become not only political or professional, but deeply personal.

That is why this year’s UP100 honours people who make difficult choices when it matters most—leaders who act when others remain silent, and those who accept responsibility when it is at its greatest.

Because true leadership today is the ability to make the right choice, even when there are no easy answers.

The Olympic House hosted the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine’s ceremony honouring the Best Young Athlete of June. The prestigious title was awarded to European Junior diving champion Diana KARNAFEL, while her coach Olha Ivanenko was named Best Coach of a Young Athlete.

Receiving the award, Diana KARNAFEL said she was delighted to be recognised as Athlete of the Month. The young Ukrainian diver first made her mark on the international stage last year, when she claimed her first European junior title at the European Junior Championships in Rzeszów, Poland. According to Diana, becoming a champion had always been her dream, but she understood that staying at the top is even more difficult than reaching it.
This year, she confirmed her status as one of Europe’s best junior divers and, at her senior European Championships debut, captured her first senior gold medal by winning the Synchronised 3m Springboard event alongside Kseniia BOCHEK.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation, Igor Lysov, for his continuous support and for creating the opportunities that allow athletes to develop. Thanks to this, we are able to represent Ukraine with pride on the international stage.

I would also like to thank the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, and personally Vadym Guttsait, for this recognition. For me, it is not only an award, but also motivation to keep working even harder and striving for greater achievements.

My heartfelt thanks go to my personal coach, Olha Ivanenko, and to all the coaches who work with me for their support and belief in me. And, of course, I am deeply grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for giving us the opportunity to train and compete under the Ukrainian flag,” Diana KARNAFEL said.

Her coach, Olha Ivanenko, also thanked the organisers for the recognition, admitting that the award came as a pleasant surprise.

“It is wonderful to know that my work has been recognised so highly. This award motivates me to become even better, achieve greater results, and never stop improving.”

The Ukrainian Diving Federation, led by Igor Lysov, also received an award in recognition of its contribution to preparing the champion. The distinction was accepted on behalf of the Federation by Vice President Tamara Tokmachova, who received it from NOC President Vadym Guttsait.

“This is not our ultimate goal—we are moving towards the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The conditions created by our Federation President, Igor Lysov, leave us with only one option: to strive for Olympic medals,” said Tamara Tokmachova.

Photos: Press Service of the Ukrainian Diving Federation

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, met with the athletes and coaches of Ukraine’s national diving team together with the President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine, Igor Lysov.

The meeting took place at the newly renovated Liko Sportlife Olimpiyskyi aquatic centre, which recently reopened following a major reconstruction.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius toured the modern sports complex, watched an open training session of the national team, and spoke with the young athletes. At the end of the visit, he presented the children with sweet gifts.

The main training base for Ukraine’s national diving and artistic swimming teams has officially reopened following a major renovation under its new name, Liko Sportlife Olimpiyskyi.

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including the President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine, Igor Lysov; Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi; Deputy Minister Oleksii Nikitenko; President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine Vadym Vadym Guttsait; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Seymur Gurban oglu Mardaliyev; Head of the Holosiivskyi District State Administration Sofiia Dunaievska; and other honoured guests.

During the ceremony, Igor Lysov presented Certificates of Appreciation to Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi, NOC President Vadym Vadym Guttsait, and Director of Liko Sportlife Olimpiyskyi Oleksii Drobiazko in recognition of their personal contribution to the development and promotion of diving and artistic swimming, their continuous support of Ukraine’s national team athletes and coaches, and on the occasion of the reopening of the complex.

“Together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the city authorities, we continue to develop sport and create opportunities for future generations of athletes. I am happy that our children will train at a facility that meets all international standards,” said Igor Lysov.

During the event, NOC President Vadym Vadym Guttsait presented Igor Lysov with the Medal for Dedication to Olympism. Federation Vice President Tamara Tokmachova received the Butovsky Medal, Ukraine’s national diving team head coach Illia Tseliutin was awarded the NOC Honorary Distinction, while World Championships medallist and European champion Oleksii SEREDA received an Honorary Certificate.

The celebration featured exhibition performances by athletes from Liko Diving School, artistic swimmers from the Olympic Training Centre, and leading Ukrainian divers — World and European Championships medallists Oleksii SEREDA, Kseniia BAILO, Kirill BOLIUKH, Stanislav OLIFERCHYK, Kseniia BOCHEK, Sofia ESMAN, Kyrylo AZAROV, and Diana SHEVCHENKO. The highlight of the programme was a humorous diving show that delighted everyone in attendance.

The reopening of Liko Sportlife Olimpiyskyi marks an important milestone for Ukrainian sport. We believe the complex will soon once again host international competitions of the highest level.

The men’s 10m Platform final on the closing day of the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore delivered an unforgettable spectacle.

Oleksii SEREDA claimed the silver medal, earning his fifth career medal at the World Championships — the best achievement in the history of Ukrainian men’s diving.

The Ukrainian star scored 515.20 points, setting his season’s best performance.

The President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine, Igor Lysov, congratulated Oleksii, the entire national team and the coaching staff on their outstanding performance at one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, thanking them for the unforgettable emotions they brought to all of Ukraine.

Overall, this is Ukraine’s 16th medal in the history of the World Championships, dating back to the country’s first medals in 1998.

For the first time in many years, China’s divers finished outside the podium in this event.

Bravo! We are proud of our team!

The Ukrainian junior diving team once again demonstrated its class at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens. Our athletes claimed an impressive 12 medals: 6 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze.

This marks Ukraine’s third consecutive victory in the overall team standings at the European Junior Diving Championships — a remarkable testament to consistency, talent and determination. In addition, Team Ukraine won the 2025 European Junior Diving Championships Cup.

A total of 176 athletes from 27 countries competed in this year’s event, making it the largest edition of the championships since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine, Igor Lysov, congratulated the athletes and coaching staff on their outstanding performance:
“Your victories inspire us all and show the world that Ukrainians are strong and unbreakable!”

Congratulations to our national team on this remarkable triumph, and thank you for every dive that made the hearts of the entire nation beat as one.

We are proud of you!

Our medal winners
🥇 Gold

Valerii MALIEIEV & Nazarii KONONENKO – Synchronised Platform

Kyrylo AZAROV – 1m Springboard, Group A

Yelyzaveta DIADIUK – 1m Springboard, Group B

Nazarii KONONENKO – Platform, Group B

Nazarii KONONENKO – 3m Springboard, Group B

Diana KARNAFEL – 3m Springboard, Group A

🥈 Silver
Yelyzaveta DIADIUK – 3m Springboard, Group B

Dmytro STEPANOV – 3m Springboard, Group B

Kseniia BOCHEK & Diana KARNAFEL – Synchronised 3m Springboard

🥉 Bronze
Sofiia VYSTAKINA & Alisa MIESHKOVA – Synchronised Platform

Diana KARNAFEL – 1m Springboard, Group A

Veronika ANDRASHCHUK – Platform, Group B

A solemn award ceremony honoring the best representatives of Ukrainian sports for May took place at the Olympic House. Among those recognized by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine were: Oleksii Sereda as the Best Athlete of the Month, Tamara Tokmachova as Best Coach, and the President of the Ukrainian Diving Federation, Igor Lysov, for his significant contribution to preparing the champion.

Oleksii Sereda earned this prestigious recognition thanks to his outstanding performance at the recent European Diving Championships held in Antalya (Türkiye). There, he won three gold medals: in the individual and synchronized 10m platform (together with Mark Hrytsenko), as well as in the mixed team event alongside Kirill Boliukh, Kseniia Bailo, and Sofiia Lyskun.

While receiving the award for his contribution to the athlete’s development, Igor Lysov recalled that Kyiv had already hosted the European Championships twice — in 2017 and 2019. It was during the 2019 edition, at just 13 years old, that Sereda became the youngest European diving champion in history.

“We are eagerly looking forward to hosting top-level competitions again. We have already started renovating our pool, taking into account all modern standards, and this sports complex will definitely become the best in Europe,” — shared Igor Lysov.

During the ceremony, Oleksii Sereda thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine for making it possible to train and compete. He also expressed his gratitude to Federation President Igor Lysov, his coach Tamara Tokmachova, and the entire coaching staff: “These medals are your medals too. I see the prospects, I see the chances for more medals. I’m confident that if I keep working like this, results will come,” — emphasized the athlete.

Tamara Tokmachova, in turn, thanked the Federation for the modern sports base built in 2014, and the NOC expert commission — especially Vadym Guttsait — for recognizing the efforts of athletes and coaches.

This is Oleksii Sereda’s first such award from the NOC of Ukraine. Last year, he was honored with the title of “Best Young Athlete.”

This is the Ukrainian athlete’s first individual medal at the continental level. In total, his collection now includes two golds and one silver.

In the 1m springboard final at the European Championships in Antalya, Danylo scored 390.55 points.

The last time Ukrainians reached the podium in this discipline was six years ago — when Oleg Kolodiy claimed silver at the home European Championships in Kyiv in 2019.

Another Ukrainian athlete in the final, Bohdan Chyzhovskyi, delivered a strong performance in the evening session and finished in a respectable sixth place with a score of 369.25 points.

President of the Ukrainian Diving and Artistic Swimming Federations, Igor Lysov, congratulated the athlete and the coaching staff on this great result.

In the final, the Ukrainian pair scored a total of 308.34 points, finishing 9.6 points ahead of their closest rivals from Italy. The German duo took third place.

Kseniia is an experienced athlete in this discipline. Back in 2021, she claimed gold for Team Ukraine alongside Oleksii Sereda. In 2023, she repeated this success with Kirill Boliukh. Last year, Bailo partnered with European Championship debutant Marko Barsukov and won bronze in mixed synchro platform diving.

President of the Ukrainian Diving and Artistic Swimming Federations, Igor Lysov, congratulated the athletes and the coaching staff on their excellent performance!

As of now, Team Ukraine has already secured four gold medals at the European Championships!