I will be spending 12 days at a sport training camp in Kyiv in September -- would anyone have any recommendations for "must do/see/eat/buy" type things in Kyiv and the surrounding area?

[Yes, Kyiv is in the Ukraine, but Russia is the closest forum topic on FT]

The ballet and opera are both very good, and parts of the old center, especially the onion-domed churches, are picturesque. There is an outdoor fair for artisan’s works and antiques. The market is interesting. Food is cheap, but not very good. Avoid wine; drink vodka instead.