Hello all,
My name is Vadym Kolesnik, and I am a Ukrainian-born figure skater proudly representing Team USA in ice dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. I compete with my partner, Emilea Zingas, and together we have dedicated our lives to pursuing excellence at the highest level of our sport.
In 2025, our hard work culminated in major international success. We earned two medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and qualified for and competed at the Grand Prix Final. These milestones reflect years of sacrifice, discipline, and belief in our shared Olympic dream. Skating has been my lifelong dream—one built on years of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief, even through the most uncertain times. Growing up in Ukraine shaped who I am, both as an athlete and as a person. In recent years, my journey has carried extra weight as my homeland continues to face unimaginable hardship. While I train and compete internationally, my family remains in Ukraine, and being separated from them during such a pivotal moment in my career has been incredibly difficult.
As I prepare for the Olympics, I am facing significant financial challenges. Elite-level training requires extensive resources, including coaching fees, ice time, choreography, travel, and competition expenses. In addition, my greatest personal hope is to be able to bring my family from Ukraine to safely attend the Olympic Games—to finally have them in the stands after years apart, witnessing the dream we’ve all sacrificed for together.
Your support will go directly toward:
• Coaching and training expenses as I prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics
• Travel and logistics related to elite international competition
• Helping my family travel safely from Ukraine to be with me at the Games
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps relieve the financial burden and allows me to focus fully on training, competing, and honoring both the country that raised me and the country I now represent. Thank you for believing in my journey, for supporting Olympic dreams, and for helping turn this once-in-a-lifetime moment into something I can share with my family. Your generosity means more than words can express
With great thanks,
Vadym