A meeting that will forever remain etched in the memory of its participants took place at the Volga Region University of Sports and Tourism. Alexey Talai—Paralympic champion, world record holder, motivational speaker, and founder of the "Living Memory of Grateful Generations" project—held a frank conversation about how, after experiencing a terrible tragedy, one can not simply survive, but find strength and meaning in life, become happy, and help thousands of people.
Our introduction to Alexey began with a personal story, from the very moment his world was turned upside down during the Great Patriotic War. He recounted the long days of rehabilitation, when he felt discouraged, when his family, doctors, and he himself didn't believe in the future. But it was then that he realized what he calls the main secret of his life.
"A moment came when I was able to analyze the situation. Wake up. Connect with this beautiful world. I suddenly realized my responsibility—not just for myself, but for my entire family. It was a return to a more realistic perspective," Alexey shared.
The realization of his responsibility to his family became a turning point. Alexey recalls learning to live anew. He also found salvation in the memories of warm family evenings, which, like "sun," shone in his heart during the most difficult moments.
Alexey cites sports and the physical conditioning he acquired in his youth as key factors in his survival and future success.
"I managed to improve my body, taking it to a whole new level. My system was ready for a serious challenge. Think about it: if I, like many others, had chosen a different path in the '90s, one that involved bad habits, I simply wouldn't have had a chance," he noted.
This foundation allowed him not only to survive but also to later become a professional athlete. After being invited to appear on a television program about Paralympians, he met coaches, set a goal, and just two months later, at the Belarusian Open Championships, achieved the Master of Sport standard in the 50m breaststroke, paving the way for world records.
"Thanks to sport, I survived. I had a strong constitution and the willpower that sport instills in us. That's what allowed me to persevere and later become the father of four children," Alexey said, addressing the crowd.
Today, Alexey Talai is not only an athlete and father of four, but also a prominent public figure.
His main project is the international public initiative "Living Memory of Grateful Generations," which aims to collect coins no longer in circulation for melting down and creating monuments to the liberating soldiers in Minsk, Brest, and Moscow. The project has already united millions of families in Russia and Belarus and has received the personal support of the presidents of both countries.
Another important focus is helping children in Donbas through the charitable foundation named after him. He has carried out this work despite external pressure and even sanctions. For his humanitarian work, Alexey Talai was awarded the Order of Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022.
In the second part of the meeting, students asked the guest a wide range of questions, receiving wise and sincere answers. When asked about his first career step, he answered simply: "Little by little, I built strategies... Not without mistakes. It's all part of the journey." He spoke about the principles of leadership: "Be realistic in your thinking and don't give in to provocation." He urged those present to remain loyal sons of the Fatherland, passing on traditions "heart to heart." He shared how to avoid burning out in your work: "Remember your important task... Think about what you'll leave behind... You should leave behind green grass, and your children should run on it."
Alexey became a vivid example of how athletic fortitude, discipline, and the will to win, nurtured in gyms and stadiums, can become a support in the most challenging life situations and lead to heights that initially seem unattainable.
Text: Tatyana Potekhina
Photo: Pavel Zheleznyak
