Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Ukrainian Floorball athlete, Diana Khomenko and her team proudly take home silver on Saturday, March 15, just as the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 come to a close. “I really wanted us to win, so I’m very happy with our achievement. But the most important thing for me, is that my entire team and coaches are here together again – in a place where everyone is accepted.”
When war broke out in Ukraine, seventeen-year-old Diana Khomenko and her sister Svitlana, made the difficult decision to flee their home in Zhytomyr city, seeking refuge in Poland.
Photo by Cándido Castañón Hernández
She left behind everything familiar, however, with the support of her sister, who also serves as her guardian, and with encouragement from her school, she was able to persevere and become an individual that she is proud of today. “Being here, at the Special Olympics (World Games), I’m learning a lot about myself. I feel the most at peace. I didn’t realise that I could feel so uplifted, or that I myself could be encouraging and uplifting for others.”
Floorball, similar to hockey, is an indoor team sport played in a rink with five field players plus a goalkeeper on each team.
Players use plastic sticks and a light ball, while the goalkeeper is without a stick, and the court is much smaller than for hockey. Diana began playing floorball at age eight but competitively trained over the last two years. In spite of the disruption and displacement, she did not lose her determination to compete. “The war, which has been ongoing in Ukraine for the third year, took a toll on my strength. I was exhausted. I had to constantly fight the conditions and dangers associated with the risk to my life.”
Photo by Cándido Castañón Hernández
Diana shares that she also faced personal challenges due to overworking herself during her training. “Eventually, through my coaches, I learned to pay attention to my body’s signals, trying to create a balanced rest regimen. And of course, the emotional stress associated with defeats and setbacks sometimes caused doubts in my abilities.”
With the support of family, friends and her team, Diana found the motivation to continue working towards her athletic and personal goals. She learned to listen to her body, balance rest with rigorous practice, and use meditation and yoga to maintain focus and composure.
Natalia Kulyk, one of Diana’s coaches, speaks with pride about Diana’s journey, sharing that, “She has learned to overcome difficulties, adapt to changes, and acquire new skills every day. Diana is becoming more confident in her actions and more decisive on the field.”
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Coach Svitlana Lesyk, who is also the director of Diana’s school in Zhytomyr, shared that the team had improved significantly since arriving in Turin, and that while emotions were naturally high, she is fiercely proud of Diana and the whole team.
Participation in competitions and the cost of necessary sports equipment often requires significant expenses. Diana’s family actively sought out sponsors, participated in charity events, and turned to local public organisations for support. “Through this support, I was able to keep going and further develop my sports career. This is an opportunity for personal growth. My first big game, a worldwide event, and also a huge responsibility. It’s very exciting, and I hope we win.”
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Now, standing on the world stage at the Winter Games in Turin, she has not only competed with her team but has won silver, after playing against gold medalists, Team Bangladesh, on Saturday — earning a final score of 4-2 for the Division A Finals at the Inalpi Arena. A true testament to her resilience and unbreakable spirit.
“I also really love my pin collection,” she laughs, “Exchanging them with other countries and athletes – it’s so fun.” Pin collecting is a longstanding tradition amongst Special Olympics athletes, where different countries swap pins representing their teams. With 100 nations at the Winter Games, that’s a lot of pins! Having already mastered Polish, Diana delightedly collects her pins while navigating new language exchanges.
Photo by Cándido Castañón Hernández
Speaking to the goal of inclusion that the Special Olympics embodies, Diana revealed, “Walking into the Inalpi Arena with Team Ukraine, it meant everything to me. Because everyone cheered so loud for us, for Ukraine. Being here, I feel seen.”
On Sunday, Diana will return to Zhytomyr despite the ongoing conditions in Ukraine. With her new win and the shared joy of her teammates, Diana reflects, “I hope my story inspires others to keep going, to lean on your support, to try, no matter how difficult the journey.”
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