On August 13, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Ivano-Frankivsk during a working trip to the Prykarpattia region. The centerpiece of the visit was the head of state's participation in the large-scale veteran competition "Will to Live," held at the local College of Physical Education. The event, dedicated to supporting wounded servicemen, gathered hundreds of participants for whom sport has become a tool for physical and psychological rehabilitation.
Sports Interactive: Tennis, Archery, and Bench Press
The "Will to Live" competition program included eight adaptive disciplines, including table tennis, archery, darts, rowing machines, and kettlebell sports. To boost the morale of the participants, Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally tested several sports. According to official sources, the President played a match of table tennis, demonstrated archery skills with a classic bow, and performed a series of ten repetitions of the bench press. Video of the interactive session was promptly published on the official channel of the President's Office.
Meeting with Veterans and Symbolic Gifts
An important part of the visit was informal communication with the competition participants. The President personally spoke with veterans who were holding the battle flags of their units. In particular, footage shows that Zelenskyy signed the flag of the 50th Regiment named after Colonel Semen Vysochan of the National Guard of Ukraine, which is based in Ivano-Frankivsk. In response to this gesture of attention, a veteran of the defense of Avdiivka, artist Vasyl Semko from the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade, presented the head of state with a unique wooden panel depicting Saint Nicholas in the guise of a military chaplain.
Memory of Heroes and Regional Context
Before attending the sports event, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the local Memorial Square, where he honored the memory of Prykarpattia residents who died at the front. During the ceremony, the President awarded the "Golden Star" order to the mother of the fallen Hero of Ukraine, Taras Shpuk. This visit underscores the importance of work to preserve the memory of defenders and support their families in the rear.
Strategy for Veteran Rehabilitation and Socialization
The public demonstration of the President's sports activity alongside veterans who have suffered severe injuries is part of the updated state rehabilitation strategy. Against the backdrop of the protracted nature of the conflict in Ukraine, the need to integrate former military personnel into civilian life has risen sharply. In 2026, the Ivano-Frankivsk region became one of the key rear hubs for creating specialized medical and adaptation centers. Such regional competitions, adapted to the format of international games for wounded warriors, are intended to prove that adaptive sports, combined with psychological support, are the most effective way to return disabled veterans to active social life.
Contradictory Data
While the main facts of the visit (location, date, types of sports) are confirmed by all sources, there are minor discrepancies in the details. Some reports mention that the President played tennis, while others focus on the bench press. Also, different sources describe the number of repetitions in the bench press differently (from 8 to 10), however, these details are secondary and do not change the essence of the event.
