MADRID, SPAIN – December 16, 2025 – The two-year, EU-funded project “Road to the Olympics for Ukrainian Athletes (RtO)” has officially concluded, demonstrating a profound success in strengthening the mental resilience and performance of athletes facing conflict. The project, coordinated by the International Center (IC) in Spain, was led by Peruvian writer, Global Communicator, and Vice-Chairman of Business Development, Manuel Páucar.
RtO successfully proved that highly specialized cognitive training, delivered via innovative technology, can effectively mitigate the psychological and emotional impacts of war on elite athletes.
The Audacity of "What If?": Blending Art and Science
Manuel Páucar, known for his published works of poetry and his background as a Literary Coach, brought a unique philosophical approach to the European collaboration. The project was driven by his central question: "What if we could use the language of science to equip champions who are also fighters?"
The RtO Project executed a rigorous “System Training Under Pressure Methodology” that focused on building attentional control, resilience, and perceived performance. This was delivered via specialized MOT (Multiple Object Tracking) technology loaded onto 40 iPads that were distributed to the athletes. The project’s final report confirms that the structured, six-month intervention was effective, achieving full compliance with all objectives and strengthening the mental fortitude of its participants.
An International Effort to Build a New Methodology
The success of RtO is a testament to extraordinary international cooperation, transforming a logistical challenge into a seamless humanitarian and scientific pipeline. Key partners included:
International Center (IC), Spain (Coordinator): Driving the overall vision, management, and storytelling.
National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC Ukraine): Guiding the research on the psychological impact of conflict on athletes.
Olympiacos SFP, Greece: Hosting and implementing key training weeks.
Kinetic Analysis BV, Netherlands: Supplying the core technology and managing the complex logistics of the 40 training devices.
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Ireland: Providing academic rigor and scientific contribution to the training methodology.
"This was more than a project; it was a periplo—a demanding journey of profound human commitment," said Manuel Páucar. "The data now confirms what we witnessed in the training halls of Madrid and Athens: that dedication, partnership, and a transferable methodology can create a fortress of the mind. The first part is finalized, but the question 'What if?' remains our guide for the next phase."
A Legacy of Hope: The "Second Part"
The RtO Project leaves behind a robust, transferable methodology and a committed network ready for the next step. The core principle—adapting specialized cognitive training to the needs of those under severe psychological stress—has applications far beyond elite sports. The consortium is actively planning the “second part,” focused on extending these effective CT practices to new countries and vulnerable groups.
Pedro Gormaz Campos, business partner to Mr. Páucar and IC’s co-signer, added: “Manuel’s leadership allowed us to blend the technical demands of a large EU project with a powerful, human narrative. The foundation is now set for us to scale this proven system and continue building bridges across Europe.”
Media Contact and Interview Requests
Manuel Páucar (Peruvian Heritage, RtO Coordinator) is available for interviews to discuss the unique blend of creative vision and scientific rigor that made RtO a success, the challenges of cross-border humanitarian logistics, and the future of cognitive training in resilience-building for vulnerable groups.
Contact:
Diana Carolina Pérez Portocarrero - Director of Communications, IC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +34 627 47 14 39
The Road to the Olympics for Ukrainian Athletes (RtO) is an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union.