A delegation of Ukrainian sports medicine and performance experts visited Rice University to learn how the university integrates science, medicine and education to support student-athletes — a model they say they hope to adapt in their own national sports programs.
The group included leaders from the Ukrainian Olympic Club, the Ukrainian Medical Center of Sport Medicine, several universities of physical education and sport and national institutes for science and rehabilitation. Together, they aim to develop a coordinated system that unites research, medical care, performance science and education — an approach they say Rice exemplifies.
“At Rice University, we believe the pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics goes hand in hand with innovation in science and medicine,” said Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics. “It was an honor to host our Ukrainian colleagues and share how collaboration across disciplines helps us support the whole student-athlete — mentally, physically and emotionally. We’re inspired by their commitment to advancing sport and athlete care in their country, and we look forward to continued exchange and partnership.”
“Ukraine has extensive experience in high-performance athletics at the Olympic, world and European levels,” said Sergii Matiienko, director of the Ukrainian Medical Center of Sports Medicine and founder of the Olympic Lab Science Park. “But we want to study new systems and new approaches. The experience of Rice University shows us how to connect all stakeholders who support high-performance athletes — from science and medical support to education.”
During the visit last month, the delegation met with Rice Athletics trainers, sports scientists and kinesiology faculty to learn how the university collects and analyzes performance data and integrates expertise across disciplines to enhance athlete health and success.
“The collaboration we see here at Rice is a great example,” said Volodymyr Sekretnyi, medical director of the Ukrainian Medical Center of Sport Medicine and head doctor of Ukraine’s national ice hockey teams. “We learned how medical and science specialists work together, share data and use it to improve performance and well-being. In sports medicine, there are no little things — everything matters.”