September 23rd, 2025

Paralympic medalist Anna Hontar greetings to children in Ukraine

​​ANNA HONTAR.

My name is Anna. I am from Ukraine. For many years, I have been engaged in professional sports among people with disabilities and have achieved certain accomplishments. But none of this would have been possible without the support of my family, coaches, and teachers. They were the ones who helped me choose my path and gave me the opportunity to believe in myself, to overcome all difficulties and challenges.
It so happened that at the age of five, I began swimming. Sport became an inseparable part of my life. It was not just sport, but a path that shaped me as a person.
First and foremost, sport gives children health and strength. Every training session is work on yourself—on your body and endurance, overcoming limitations. Thanks to this, we gain confidence in our own abilities. Another important quality that sports have developed in me is discipline. To achieve results, you must wake up early, follow a routine, and work even when you have no strength or desire. This quality helps not only in sports but also in studying and in everyday life. Sport also teaches us to fight and not give up. In sports, as in life, there are defeats, but each one makes us stronger and motivates us to move forward.
I would also like to mention the friends and team that children find through sports. Sport gives Ukrainian children the opportunity to communicate with like-minded peers, provides the support of coaches, and instills the belief that together, any difficulty can be overcome. And perhaps most valuable of all—sport gives a young athlete a dream and a goal. It opens before us the world of major competitions and victories, teaches us to strive for the top and never stop.

I also want to express my gratitude to Kherson Gymnasium No. 1, which became one of the most important parts of my life. It not only gives children knowledge in various subjects but also shapes personalities, instills values, and teaches skills necessary for future life. The teachers taught us to analyze, to think critically, to search for solutions, and to apply knowledge in practice. This, in turn, created the foundation for professional development and allowed me to continue my studies at university. It was in the gymnasium that we learned to communicate with peers, work in a team, find friends, overcome conflicts, and collaborate. We were taught what responsibility, honesty, patriotism, and mutual respect mean.

For many of my classmates, school opened the path to sports, creativity, and self-development, helping them to discover and realize their talents. In my case, teachers created the best conditions for combining education and sports.

School has a tremendous impact on the development of a child in Ukraine. It not only provides knowledge but also nurtures, helps shape character, and prepares children for adult life. Sports for children are a school of life that gives strength, resilience, self-confidence, and the opportunity to do what you love, helping you fully reveal your potential. School and sport are two inseparable wings of a child’s development in Ukraine. They are closely connected, as they ensure the harmonious development of personality—intellectual, physical, and spiritual—and influence the future of every child.

With respect,
Anna Hontar
Paralympic gold medalist

photo: Anna with World Champion silver medalj World Champion swimming competitions 2025.