Greater than a 12 months after fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Max Gandziuk hopes his dream to characterize his “new house” within the sport of canoe sprinting will come true.
Key factors:
Max Gandziuk was compelled to depart his house in Ukraine final 12 months after Russia launched an invasionHe moved to Adelaide and received six gold medals on the Australian Canoe Dash ChampionshipsThe Ukranian neighborhood has arrange a GoFundMe to assist him get to the Junior World Championships
In February final 12 months, the then 15-year-old was residing in an residence along with his mom, Svitlana, and grandmother in Zaporizhzhia, a metropolis in south-eastern Ukraine, about 100 kilometres from the most important nuclear energy plant in Europe.
On the time, Mr Gandziuk was coaching to make choice for the junior world championship workforce when he woke as much as the information that the conflict had began.
“We have been nonetheless there when my metropolis was first shelled by Russian troops occupying close by villages,” he mentioned.
“The noise from bombs and the warning sirens was so terrifying that we determined to mix with the remainder of the household and take turns at sleeping as a result of somebody all the time needed to be awake.”
The household have been finally contacted by Ukrainian officers telling all junior athletes to depart the nation as quickly as doable, in order that they left Zaporizhzhia by practice.
“We travelled in a four-seater practice cabin with 12 folks inside our cabin and it took about 25 hours earlier than we arrived at Lviv,” he mentioned.
After a couple of days, the household have been taken throughout the Polish border to a refugee camp earlier than having to depart their grandmother and journey to Estonia the place they utilized for an Australian humanitarian visa.
Mr Gandziuk and his mom initially arrived in Sydney final 12 months to dwell with household, earlier than deciding to maneuver to Adelaide so he might pursue his dream.
“It was arduous to coach on my own with no coach and a coaching squad in Sydney,” he mentioned.
“West Lakes has the largest canoe crew in Australia.
“We have been warmly greeted by the entire canoe squad right here, so we determined to maneuver right here.”
One of many ‘most devoted’ athletes within the squad
The 16-year-old received six gold medals for South Australia on the Australian canoe dash championships in March, and was later chosen within the nationwide workforce for the junior world championships in Italy in July.
However the Ukrainian refugee might miss out on his dream as a result of his household cannot afford to ship him to Italy.
“It has been tough for us to regulate to life in Australia, and we’re nonetheless struggling to make ends meet,” he mentioned.
If he’s unable to compete in Italy, it might harm his possibilities of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris.
“It is like my new house now, so I need to have the ability to race as arduous as I can,” he mentioned.
Mr Gandziuk and the Affiliation of Ukrainians in South Australia have arrange a GoFundMe web page to boost the mandatory funds.
Paddle SA Coach, Luke Haniford, mentioned he deserved the chance to compete on the world stage.
“[He is] a very proficient canoe athlete,” he mentioned.
“Extra proficient than we have had for canoeing in Australia for fairly a very long time.
“He is in all probability one of the devoted athletes I’ve in my squad.”
Mr Haniford mentioned that the athlete had been extremely resilient for somebody who had confronted so many challenges.
“After being compelled to make an enormous transfer and ever since he is been right here, he has simply hit the bottom operating,” he mentioned.
“He hasn’t regarded again and is all the time shifting ahead.”
