SAINT-DENIS, France. Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Ukraine’s premier high jumper and a world record holder, begins her quest for Olympic gold in Paris on Saturday, driven by a sense of duty and determination amid her country’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Mahuchikh, hailing from Dnipro, a city situated just 100 kilometers from the front lines of the war, has spent much of the past few years away from home due to the conflict. With the war showing no signs of ending, Mahuchikh has trained and lived in various countries including Portugal, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and Estonia.
“For me, every tournament is important,” Mahuchikh said. “I represent my country, and for Ukraine, every medal is important. I want to show people we’ll never give up and we’ll fight in difficult and different ways.”
When the war began, Mahuchikh fled Dnipro, witnessing gunfire and explosions as she departed. Despite these challenges, she has continued to excel on the field, breaking a 37-year-old world record last month with a jump of 2.10 meters (6 feet, 10.75 inches), positioning herself as a strong contender for gold in Paris.
Her success is particularly significant given the backdrop of strained relations between Ukraine and Russia. Russian athletes, including defending Olympic champion Maria Lasitskene, have been banned from international competitions due to the invasion. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated that the ban was a matter of fairness rather than politics.
“It is a very constrained world that those athletes have to operate in,” Coe remarked. “We looked at it as a matter of integrity. Was it fair that those athletes who were going to be so disadvantaged should also (go against) athletes from a country that has shown such aggression?”
Mahuchikh’s performance at the 2022 World Championships, where she won gold with a jump of 2.01 meters (6 feet, 7 inches), marked Ukraine’s first track and field gold since 2013. Her Olympic preparation and participation stand as a symbol of resilience and national pride.
Reflecting on her experience, Mahuchikh noted, “Unfortunately, I have two years experience of this behind me. But mentally, I’m stronger than I was two years ago.”
Despite the upheaval and loss, including the destruction of much of Ukraine’s sports infrastructure, Mahuchikh remains hopeful. “We will definitely win,” she said. “But in what time, and what price will we pay for this? It’s a really big price, the lives of people. We’ve lost a lot of really good people who are fighting for our country.”
As Mahuchikh steps onto the field for her events, her focus will be on the competition, temporarily setting aside the concerns of war and displacement. Her presence in Paris, alongside 142 other Ukrainian athletes, is a testament to the enduring spirit of her country amidst adversity.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
