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Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Ukraine’s standout high jumper, soared to a remarkable feat on Sunday by shattering a 37-year-old world record at a Diamond League event in Paris. Her jump of 2.10 meters (6.88 feet) eclipsed the previous mark of 2.09 meters set by Bulgaria’s Stefka Kostadinova in 1987, cementing her place in athletic history just ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Entering this competition, I felt confident I could reach 2.07 meters and maybe even 2.10 meters,” Mahuchikh remarked. Finally, I have etched Ukraine into the annals of world athletics.
The 22-year-old athlete, alongside world indoor champion Nicola Olyaslagers, cleared 2.01 meters on their second attempts. After Olyaslagers faltered at 2.03 meters, Mahuchikh successfully cleared that height to secure victory. Demonstrating her prowess, she then set a new Ukrainian record of 2.07 meters before surpassing it with a flawless jump at 2.10 meters on her first try.
Mahuchikh’s journey to athletic greatness has been intertwined with personal and national challenges. She left her hometown of Dnipro amidst the conflict with Russia, joining other elite Ukrainian athletes in training abroad while remaining steadfast in her support for Ukraine’s resilience.
“We are all fighting for our people, for our soldiers,” Mahuchikh affirmed after defending her European title recently. “Through sports, we aim to demonstrate Ukraine’s strength and determination on the global stage.”
Amidst geopolitical tensions, World Athletics has excluded all Russian athletes from the upcoming Olympic track meet, a decision that Mahuchikh has publicly supported. Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, reiterated this stance during a recent visit to Kyiv, emphasizing solidarity with Ukraine’s ongoing struggles.
Mahuchikh’s record-breaking performance not only highlights her athletic prowess but also symbolizes hope and resilience for her war-torn homeland as she prepares to compete on the world stage in Paris 2024.
