• Olesya Vladykina
    03 February 2010
    Olesya Vladykina
    Сhampion from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in the 100m breaststroke and Sochi 2014 Ambassador

    I am really sincerely happy to be a Sochi 2014 Ambassador. You never know what awaits you in life, for me, after the accident, it was only preparation for the Paralympic Games in Beijing and the Games themselves which brought me back to life. The Games in Sochi will bring a lot of changes to Russia: not only a winter sports centre equipped for people with disabilities, but also a new attitude towards them. I think our people are ready to accept new ideas; they just need someone to tell them about them and, as an Ambassador, I'm ready to do that. After my accident I started to notice everything connected with disabled people, and it's very important to me that their rights are observed. I am really pleased with the success of our Paralympic team here in Vancouver because their example is an inspiration not only for disabled fans and athletes but also for the most ordinary people! I'm so glad that our country will host the Games that I'm even considering taking up a winter sport! See you in Sochi!