Sport system and policy in Ukraine

Abstract

This country profile provides a comprehensive overview of the sport system and policy environment of Ukraine, with a focus on institutional structure, governance practices, and policy evolution since independence in 1991. Ukraine's sport system reflects both the enduring legacy of Soviet-era administrative models and the country’s shifting political, economic, and social context — including its European integration aspirations and the profound impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The article details historical development of sport in Ukraine, describes the various primary actors within the ecosystem and how they interrelate, outlines the mechanisms by which sports activities are funded, and comments on the public health and physical activity issues. Particular attention is given to the fragmented nature of institutional responsibilities, and challenges in implementation and funding, with Ukraine’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Olympic Committee operating within a context shaped by geopolitical tensions, limited resources, and competing national priorities. The current war has intensified existing pressures, resulting in the destruction of facilities, interruptions in training, and the diversion of resources away from sports to the war effort. These factors have further strained the already limited budget and hindered the implementation of proposed reforms needed to achieve the dual goals of elite sport (Olympic) performance and mass participation. Despite a growing consensus on the need to transition towards a European model of sport, which could potentially address many of these systemic issues, the article suggests that such reforms will be challenging to implement until hostilities cease and societal stability is restored.