55 Medals in 10 Days

On September 9, 2003, the Ministry of Education summed up the performance of the Ukrainian team in the XXII Summer World Student Games held in Taegu, South Korea, from August 21 through 31. Ukraine’s national team was represented by 162 athletes and 37 coaches from 22 oblasts (36 institutions of higher education). Our women athletes presented a really spectacular show. Top coaches had planned twelve highest awards, mostly in swimming and artistic gymnastics. Instead, the Ukrainian athletes won a total 55 medals: 23 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze, coming in fourth overall among the 179 participating countries. The greatest successes were achieved in swimming — 20 (nine gold, five silver, and six bronze), artistic gymnastics — 12 (four gold, three silver, and five bronze), and athletics — 9 (seven gold, one silver, and one bronze). That our young men and women had to face tough competition is evidenced by the fact that among the participants were such world-famous names as 2003 world breaststroke and butterfly swimming champion Gibson (Britain), world rhythmic gymnastics champion Chashchina (Russia) and many others. New Student Games records were set in 19 out of the 40 swimming events. Our swimmers became record holders in five of them. Yana Klochkova, by no means an immature student athlete, excelled in the 200 meter freestyle (1:59.03) and individual medley (2:13.32), thus breaking the Student Games and Ukrainian records. Andriy Serdinov set new records in the 50 and 100 meter butterfly events. Another three gold medals were won by artistic gymnast Iryna Yarotska (all- round, beam, and floor), Unfortunately, we will not see Iryna this year at the Donetsk-based Golden Lily Tournament because she will be participating in the world championship qualification rounds.

Summing up the performance of our team, Minister of Education and Research Vasyl Kremin noted the high level of our athletes and their preparedness for next year’s Olympic Games. In his words, fourth overall place is a fine public-outreach opportunity for Ukraine. As the next academic year has been declared the Year of Healthy Lifestyle, the minister noted the Student Games champions would serve as a showpiece for young people.