Interview Daryna Nahuliak

For years, Daryna Nahuliak is one of the best Ukrainian cyclists. For years, she has to do this in difficult circumstances. The 21-years old cyclist can't train in her homeland without being sure to have a safe space above her head. Despite those difficult circumstances, she manged to become vice-national champion in the U23 category and achieve top 10 results abroad. In this interview she tells about how she experiences her sport, her homeland under attack and how do deal with all those difficult circumstances. One of the cycling interviews with the most historical relevance in this Century.

How do you look back on the past season?

Last season went well for me, I was at the training camp in Italy for the first time, thanks to the Ukrainian National Team. I started a lot of races that were new to me, both multi-day and one-day, in the mountains, by the sea. I took part in races in France, Poland and Belgium. I liked the race in France (La Classique Morbihan 1.1) the most, where I felt that it was my track, I was enjoying the race. This year I took about 30 starts. It was the coolest season of my life, I gained experience and became a level higher for myself.

How do you spend your winter?

After the season, I gave myself time to rest a bit mentally and prepare for the wedding. In December, I had a training camp with the Ukrainian national team in the mountains, where we worked out in the gym, swam in the pool and held small competitions, walked in the snowy mountains. I really liked it because it was my first experience in a winter training camp.

Now we have winter holidays and I try to spend time with my family after training. When the weather is nice, we go on the highway. I am looking forward to the spring training and hope that it will be held.

What are your goals for this season?

My goals for the season are to find a team with which I can train and race, to gain experience in cooperation with the team. To take part in various races in which I could help the team to show results. I plan to take part in the European and World Championships. Because there are no competitions in Ukraine and there is a lack of funding.

Your homeland has been under attack for 3 years now. How has it affected your personal life?

As an athlete, I feel a deep pain and responsibility for my country, which has been under attack for three years. It has completely changed my life. Every performance on the international stage is now not just a competition for me, but an opportunity to show the strength of our people’s spirit and remind the world of our struggle. The war taught me to appreciate every day, every training session and every chance to prove myself. It’s hard to concentrate on sports when your thoughts are constantly with your family, who are staying at home under fire. But it also became an additional motivation to prove that even in the darkest times we are capable of achieving great results. For me, sport is now a symbol of invincibility, and victory is a way to honor the heroes who defend our freedom.

I want to tell you a part of my story.

When the war started, my coach and I were at a training camp in another city. One morning around 6:00 a.m. my friend woke me up and said that the war had started, I didn’t understand and thought it was some kind of a joke, I said it was strange and that it couldn’t be in the 21st century. But when I opened the news, unfortunately, I saw that it was true. I didn’t believe it until the end. And sitting in stress, you wait for the message that everything is canceled. At that time, all my relatives were in my city of Khmelnytskyi, I was very worried that the «Russians» would not reach my city. A week later, I came home and did not know what to do next, I was worried, rockets were flying into the power plant, the house was shaking. Before I could get to the shelter across the street, two rockets hit the building in front of me, the building was on fire, everyone was panicking.

On March 5, our coach takes us to the Polish border where we stood outside with our bicycles in the cold for about 12 hours because many women with children were leaving Ukraine for their safety. Small children did not understand what was happening, why they were here. I am very grateful to Ukrainians and Poles for providing hot food and tea for people. After crossing the border, we were met by Jarek Szczepanowski, president of the Pacific Fitness Nestle club. He took us to the city of Toruń where we were found accommodation where we stayed for 3 months, we were provided with food, financial assistance and most importantly moral support.

The coach of this team, Leszek Szyszkowski, gladly helped us with training, taught us something new, prepared us for the competition and participated in the competition. The mechanic also helped us with the equipment for the bikes. I am very grateful to these people and the country for their support. Later I returned home and live here. Now there are alarms every day, day and night. Rockets and shahids are flying, even as I write this article.

What impact does this have on Ukrainian cycling?

Since the beginning of the war, all cycling clubs have been closed. Reduced funding for athletes and participation in competitions. Low number of races in Ukraine. Due to low funding, it is not possible to purchase equipment, bicycles and equipment for athletes. Migration of young athletes to different countries. Due to the hostilities, many Ukrainian cyclists went abroad, which gave them access to better infrastructure and training opportunities. This, in turn, contributed to their professional growth. This is disastrous for the development of athletes.

How could the outside world better support your cyclists/people/country?

Inviting Ukrainian athletes to join teams and competitions, as there are no clubs in Ukraine. Organizing scholarships and financial support for Ukrainian cyclists who were forced to leave the country. Facilitating the participation of Ukrainian athletes in international cycling races. Providing free use of sports facilities abroad for Ukrainian teams.

Massive initiatives to transfer bicycles to Ukrainians. Maintaining pressure on the aggressor to minimize the possibility of financing aggressive actions. Exclusion of athletes from aggressor countries from international competitions if they directly support aggression.

Providing materials for the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, water supply and electricity networks. Sending medicines, equipment, and supporting rehabilitation programs for the wounded and injured. Holding events, campaigns and cultural events in support of Ukraine.

Sending generators and equipment to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Providing the military with vehicles, equipment, clothing, radios, trench candles, and nutritious sweets.

What are your ambitions in sports?

My goal is to get to the Olympic Games. To show the best results and my ambitions at the competitions. To show my best in teamwork.

What can we wish you for 2025?

Good luck and success in the next season, health and strength. Find a team for further development in sports.