Maryna Piddubna

Started: She began swimming in 2005 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Athlete, 13 Aug 2018) Reason: She was encouraged to take up the sport at school by coaches who aimed to improve the pupils' health. "For me, the water is as reliable as the floor, like walking on the ground. I love just stroking along, thinking about things. It's cool. I like the speed, the bubbling of the water around you, the splashes. You feel like someone is racing alongside you. This, of course, is exciting." (nakipelo.ua, 24 Apr 2017; invasport.org.ua, 13 Jul 2012) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (ge.globo.com, 10 Mar 2023) Awards: She was presented with the Strong Spirit prize at the 2019 Heroes of the Sports awards ceremony in Ukraine. (naiu.org.ua, 11 Mar 2020) In recognition of her performances at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, she received the Order of Princess Olga [third and second class, respectively] in Ukraine. (zakon.rada.gov.ua, 16 Sep 2021; president.gov.ua, 04 Oct 2016) She has received the title of Honoured Master of Sport in Ukraine. (dsmsu.gov.ua, 31 Dec 2020) Additional Info: MOVE TO BRAZIL In January 2023 she relocated to Brazil to train at Praia Clube in Uberlandia ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games. She was encouraged to make the move to Brazil by Brazilian Para swimmer Wendell Belarmino Pereira. "In 2016, I decided that I would like to live in another country to have new experiences, get to know a new culture and learn a totally different language. I had never thought about going to Brazil, because it is very far [from Ukraine]. But I became close friends with Wendell, and when he came to swim for Praia Clube, he started telling me how things were going there. That's when I decided to give it a try." (ge.globo.com, 10 Mar 2023)