Youth athletes from Odesa recently returned from the 57th International Children’s Games held in Tallinn, Estonia.

This event gathered around 900 young competitors from 70 cities worldwide, and for the first time, Odesa participated.

This year, the competition featured 7 sports, including 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, judo, swimming, athletics, fencing, and football.

The Odesa athletes excelled in swimming and 3x3 basketball, achieving impressive results.

The first gold medal for Odesa was won by Anastasia Marina, who triumphed in the 50-meter butterfly swimming event.

Ivan Ryaduev claimed first place in the 100-meter freestyle with a new personal record and Ukrainian record of 51.86 seconds.

In the mixed relay (composite style), the Odesa team secured 5th place out of 28 teams.

In the 3x3 basketball competitions, both teams (boys and girls) performed well in the group stages, advancing to the playoffs.

Interestingly, since 1968, the first International Children’s Games established a touching tradition of exchanging souvenirs. This creates a sense of pride as athletes from 73 cities across 28 countries showcase the colors of their flags.

The International Children’s Games is not just about sports; it represents friendship, unity, respect, and new friendships.

Odesa extends heartfelt gratitude to its Estonian partner, Tallinn, for the opportunity of sports exchange for young athletes.

The participation of the Odesa team in the 57th International Children’s Games was made possible through the direct support of the Department of International Cooperation, Culture, and Marketing, as well as the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Odesa City Council.