Champion from Mykolaiv Olga Harlan fulfilled the dream of the daughter of a fallen defender

The daughter of a fallen soldier realized her dream and met her sports icon, Olympic champion from Mykolaiv Olha Harlan. During the meeting, the athlete gave Maria not only support but also inspiration for further achievements in fencing.

This was reported by Tribuna.

10-year-old Maria Skorych, the daughter of a fallen hero and a ward of the Children of Heroes charity foundation, became a participant in the social project "Make Your Dream Come True" by 1+1 media. Her dream of meeting her sports icon, Olympic fencing champion Olha Harlan, came true at the Olympic Center.

Her father, Viacheslav, voluntarily went to the front in March 2023. In November of that year, he went missing, and later the family learned of his death while performing a combat mission in the Kupiansk district.

Despite the tragedy, Mariia started fencing a year ago and picked up a rapier. Her goal of getting closer to the big sport and hearing Olga Harlan 's success story was realized thanks to the support of the project's mentor, Natalia Solonik.

"I really want to see you, hug you for all Ukrainians and ask you how you managed to achieve such victories in sports!" Maria addressed Olga Harlan in a video message. And she received not only words of support, but also sincere hugs, a signature on her fencing glove, and inspiration for her future.

In turn, the athlete shared that it is very nice to be someone's dream, and she once had an idol.

Last year, the two-time Olympic champion announced the opening of her own fencing school for children, which she said was a dream she had been harboring for many years. In January, the athlete was honored with a special award from the NOC of Ukraine "Sports Symbol of Unity" during a ceremony at the Olympic House in Kyiv.

Earlier, in December 2024, Harlan received another recognition - she was named Athlete of the Year. And in August of the same year, the Charitable Foundation put up for auction the legendary saber - the one she used to strike the winning blow in the final of the Olympic Games in Paris. The proceeds were fully allocated to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос