Inspiring stories - Our Swim Coach Oleksandra

From War to Water: Oleksandra’s Unfinished Dream and New Beginnings with GoZebra

In 2021, Oleksandra had a bold goal—she wanted to be the youngest girl to complete a 24-hour pool swim. Under the guidance of her coach, she spent hours each day in the water, swimming six hours straight, eating donuts mid-swim to keep her energy up. Her training was more than just preparation; it was a journey of resilience and dedication. But then, the war in Ukraine changed everything. She had to leave her home, her training, and the goal she had been building towards. The race never happened.

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That wasn’t the only time Oleksandra had fought through challenges in the water. She had transformed herself in open-water swimming, going from finishing almost last in her first 2 km race to standing on the podium for 10 km races just a year later. She competed in six 10 km Oceanman races, regularly placing at the top in her age group. At the World Championship Grand Final in Thailand (2023), she faced one of her toughest battles yet—severe food poisoning just one day before the most important competition of her life. Too weak to speak, she still pushed through, swimming 5 km (placing in the top 10) and anchoring her relay team to a gold medal.

Oleksandra’s story is one of grit, passion, and an unstoppable spirit. When she arrived in Vienna, she found a new home with GoZebra, an international club built on fairness, respect, positive psychology, and strength—values that aligned perfectly with her own. She joined as a coach and an athlete, bringing her experience, energy, and determination to the team. And in return, the club is doing its best to support her ambitions, working to plan open-water races and a 24-hour pool swim—unfinished business from her past. With the help of the whole team, recruiting volunteers, and hoping for the backing of Austrian authorities, GoZebra strives to elevate the face of sport and show how, even in the face of the grimmest adversity, something truly positive can emerge.
GoZebra is more than just a team; it’s a community that lifts each other up. Oleksandra is not only rebuilding her own dreams but inspiring others to chase theirs, proving that no matter how many obstacles stand in your way, with the right people around you, you can always keep moving forward.
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