Oleksii Sereda: ‘The war makes things worse, but a medal might take us closer to peace’
With 10 European titles – the most recent trio coming just last month – and four World Championship medals to his name, you might be forgiven for thinking Oleksii Sereda was nearer to the end of a glittering career than the beginning of it.
It becomes even more surprising to be reminded that the diver is still a teenager when you listen to the Ukrainian speak with such authority and conviction about issues away from sport, particularly the plight of many in his homeland.
“Sometimes it (diving) is a bit scary, but then I remember people who are defending our country are in horrible conditions and trying even harder than I do,” Sereda tells World Aquatics.
“This is my job though and I know that each medal gives my people a small piece of hope and for me, it takes us one little step closer to peace in Ukraine, so I’m doing my best to make everyone proud.”
Like many young Ukrainians, Sereda has had to grow up quickly since tensions with Russia escalated in 2022.
His father’s recruitment to the Ukrainian army, where he has helped to defend his nation on the front line, solidified the seriousness of the situation to the diver early on in the conflict and as such, he is keen to speak publicly about the war, to help raise – and retain – awareness.
“I would say everyone starts to forget about the war, but nothing changes, things just get worse,” continues Sereda. “We have no normal conditions for training, all the time there are air alerts for rockets and we need to hide in shelters; it’s awful.
“My father wasn’t a warrior, but now he is a soldier and that makes me worried, but I try to focus on what I can do with great results to help my country, but it’s also important to talk about the war, so people won’t forget about the situation.”
From Doha Delight to Pain in Paris
Sereda has of course already created many moments of pride for his country and inspired many within his homeland, as well as around the world, with his medal-winning performances over recent years; which have largely happened despite the turmoil back at home.
At the Doha World Championships last year Sereda claimed the third and fourth senior global honours of his career, but it was a particularly significant event for the diver as it saw the then 18-year-old claim his first individual World medal, with 10m platform bronze.
“I really liked Doha, for me this one was the best because of course I got a medal there in individual which was so important. It’s not that it is necessarily more important than synchro but in that I do four dives, but in individual I have six.
“To get a medal in individual, this shows I’m really good at diving!”
He hoped that success would propel him towards a maiden Olympic medal at his second Games, but after heavily disrupted preparations Sereda would place eighth in the 10m platform final and fifth in the synchronised event.
“Of course, I would have liked to finish higher, but it was predictable with the training preparations I had,” recalls the diver who insists that result has given him “even more motivation” ahead of Singapore 2025.
“I understood a medal was possible and we were (in the synchronised 10m platform competition with Kirill Boliukh) so close to third (just under 10 points short of the bronze medallists from Canada), so now I’m trying harder than ever.”
Seeking Success in Singapore
The build-up to the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore have been far from ideal for the diver and his team-mates, with Sereda revealing they have been forced to train in Poland, Hungary and the Philippines due to threats in his homeland.
“Ukraine, it’s really dangerous especially in Kiev, as you might have seen with the news, every day Russia attacks Ukraine so we had to move to other countries,” he tells World Aquatics.
“Singapore is where all my focus has been this year though and I really want to win this one.
“I think it would be a step towards my main dream of being an Olympic champion; if I win a gold medal there, I’ll know I really have a chance to win gold at the Olympic Games in 2028).”
Sereda will open his account with the 3m and 10m mixed team contest on 26 July, the first day of the diving contest at Singapore, before switching his attention to the synchronised 10m event on 29 July.
He will then aim to conclude his programme across two days of the individual 10m platform discipline, from 2-3 August, and winning each of those contests at the Europeans in Turkey last month certainly provided a confidence boost ahead of his next major competition.
“I’ve never been to Singapore, but I’ve seen lots of beautiful pictures of the city and town, as well as the pool and I want to check it out, visiting lots of places,” he says.
“I’m also looking forward talking with my friends from other countries and of course showing what I can do with my dives and show a great result for Ukraine which will I hope will mean so much to those back at home.”