Obama Europe Leader champions inclusion through sport
To commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, we spoke with 2024-2025 Obama Leader and two-time Paralympian Vladyslava Kravchenko, a driving force in Malta’s Para sports.
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For Vladyslava Kravchenko, sport is more than a passion—it’s a platform for purpose, resilience, and inclusion. The 2024–2025 Obama Foundation Europe Leader, two-time Paralympian, and changemaker behind Malta’s growing Para sport movement has transformed personal setback into national and international advocacy.
To commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26,1990 and celebrate the resilience and achievements of people with disabilities globally, we caught up with Vladyslava to talk about what fuels her mission, the power of sports, and what gives her hope to keep going, even when change is slow.
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Let’s start from the beginning. How did your passion for Para sport advocacy begin, and why does it mean so much to you?
Sport has been a constant in my life since childhood. I began with rhythmic gymnastics and was competing even before I started school. Through sport, I learned values that continue to guide me today—resilience, self-discipline, respect, and willpower. At 17, I had a life-changing injury when a metal scaffolding collapsed on a crowd at a public event, after which sport became my path to recovery, both physically and psychologically. My passion for Para sport ignited when the London 2012 Paralympic Games captivated the world, and I set my sights on competing in the next edition. That’s when I felt firsthand the transformative power of sport.
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You’ve made history as a two-time Paralympian. What did that experience teach you, and how does it continue to influence your work?
Becoming a Paralympian was a defining moment in my life. It taught me that with the right support and determination, we can achieve more than we imagine. This experience also opened doors to a new community—the Paralympic family—which I call my family of choice. Competing on the world stage gave me a platform and a responsibility to advocate for more opportunities in Para sport, first in Malta and now globally.
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As Malta's first female swimmer to compete at the Paralympic Games, founder of the Malta Paralympic Committee, and now Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, how have your experiences shaped your advocacy, especially promoting Para sport and inclusion?
As a founding member of the Malta Paralympic Committee, I’ve worked to bring Para sport into schools through the I’mPOSSIBLE Programme, developed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This initiative promotes inclusion by combining classroom learning with hands-on experiences in adapted sports like sitting volleyball, boccia, and goalball. Since 2021, we’ve expanded our outreach, and in 2024 alone we reached over 3,000 students in 25 schools through workshops, school competitions, open days, and diversity weeks.
When I competed at the Games in Rio 2016, I knew that this was something bigger than myself, and it was my responsibility to keep the door open for the next generation.
The goal is to challenge perceptions, create more awareness about Para sport, and challenge the status quo on what’s possible. It also serves as a recruitment tool for students with disabilities to discover sport and connect with role models, benefiting athletes, students, and educators alike.
In my role as Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, I focus on amplifying the voices of athletes from underrepresented regions—small states, developing nations, conflict zones, and emerging Paralympic Committees. As Chairperson, I sit on the IPC Governing Board with voting rights, working to address systemic barriers like lack of infrastructure and funding. This role aligns closely with my broader mission to drive global impact through Para sport, ensuring that opportunities are created for athletes from all backgrounds.
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How have the Obama Leaders Europe program and your continued involvement in the Obama Leadership Network supported you?
The Obama Leaders Europe program has been a catalyst for growth, both personally and professionally. It connected me with a network of changemakers across the continent, offering mentorship, resources, and a platform to amplify our work. The program helped me refine my vision, build strategic partnerships, and approach challenges with renewed clarity and purpose. This opportunity came around at a perfect time in my life when it was critically important for me to find like-minded individuals for my new ‘kitchen table,’ with whom we could have candid conversations and restore our sense of hope to navigate today’s world.
These experiences have deepened my connection to The Obama Foundation community and allowed me to collaborate with fellow alumni on shared goals. It’s a space where ideas turn into action, and where support is always just a conversation away. Being part of this network continues to inspire and empower me to expand the reach and impact of our work in Malta and beyond.
Vladyslava Kravchenko at the Obama Leadership Network Europe Regional Reunion. Now, through the ongoing Obama Leadership Network alumni community, Vladyslava helps connect Leaders Europe program alumni across cohorts and recently attended the inaugural Europe Regional Reunion.
From shaping inclusive practices to inspiring the next generation, Vladyslava continues to prove that sport can be a force for social change. And when progress feels slow? She leans into the wisdom shared by President Obama:
“His advice to our cohort: ‘Better is good.’”
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