CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) - Teams from all over the world competed in this year’s Head of the Charles Regatta, including the Ukrainian national rowing team.
For the first time, the Ukrainian national rowing team competed in Boston. The regatta has had teams racing through the Charles River in Boston since 1965.
“I have been in the national rowing team for seven years now,” Dmytro Hula, one of the team’s rowers said. “Its a big honor for us to be able to represent out country, our brave nation that fights one of the biggest armies in the world, and fights it victoriously.”
Many of the coaches and rowers had to leave their homes in Ukraine upon the Russian invasion in February. The team has been training in Bulgaria and was excited to compete in Boston.
“We are proud to represent our country, our flag, and our nation here in this competition,” Olena Buryak said. “We are very happy to be here, and just to say thank you for all who support us.”
The team competed in the men’s championship 8s and the women’s championship 8s. The women’s team took the 9th place spot and the men’s team came in 12th.
“It’s the first time I come here and I see a lot of people who support our country, support our rowing team,” rower Nataliya Dovgodko said. “It’s great and your people have a big heart.”
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