The country’s most successful sporting ambassadors have been the heavyweight champion Klitschko boxing brothers, whose dominance of pugilism’s top division has been rivaled only by their outstanding intelligence and grace outside the ring (both are polyglots and each has a master’s degree, while both are noted for their generosity to good causes both in Ukraine and in their adopted base in Germany). The Klitschkos have both held world heavyweight belts during their careers, and the dream of reigning as joint world champs is still very much on the cards following the announcement in early 2006 of a comeback from former undisputed heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.
The Klitschkos have long been based outside of their native Ukraine, but the brothers remain vocal patriots and take an active part in the social and political life of the country.

Ukraine’s footballers are also among the country’s best known international ambassadors, with 2003 European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko topping an impressive list of big name stars plying their trade in the world’s top leagues. Known simply as ‘Sheva’ in his homeland, Shevchenko has been the most success footballing export from the former Soviet Union, delighting Ukraine’s football-mad population and generating enormous patriotic pride in his achievements.