First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, together with American philanthropist Howard Buffett, visited LOKO CHOKOlivka, the first fully barrier-free sports space in Ukraine.
It was built with financial support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation on the site of the Lokomotyv basketball club’s sports center and stadium.
“For more than 35 years, this sports space in Kyiv’s Chokolivka neighborhood had largely been neglected. In addition, the home of BC Lokomotyv, the stadium of the same name, was severely damaged by a Russian missile strike in 2024,” the President’s wife noted.
The goal of the project is to create a sports center for the rehabilitation of veterans, injured Ukrzaliznytsia employees, people with disabilities and amputations, wheelchair users, as well as an accessible area for children’s sports activities.
Olena Zelenska and Howard Buffett watched a training session ahead of a basketball game between Lokomotyv players and veterans in wheelchairs, as well as a practice session by amputee football players. They also spoke with them and with participants in Zalizna Zmina, an Ukrzaliznytsia program that supports talented teenagers.
Since its opening, the space has hosted about 80 sports events, including football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and chess tournaments.
“It is already difficult to count the projects that Mr. Buffett, a tireless friend of our country, has implemented in Ukraine during the years of Russia’s invasion. In support of the school meals reform, the philanthropist fully funded the construction of the first kitchen factory in Bucha and the second one in the Kharkiv region. These facilities centrally provide meals to dozens of schools and kindergartens in their regions at once. Buffett’s foundation also helps Ukrainian farmers with equipment for demining fields and funds the rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders. I am forever grateful to this consistent, principled person for his constant support for those who need it most,” Olena Zelenska said.