Six Ukrainian athletes will take part in the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade from March 18th to 20th. The team includes the bronze Olympic medalist, silver world and European champion in the high jump, Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
The 20-year-old Yaroslava Mahuchikh is third in the all-time world indoor rankings in the 206 cm. In the absence of Olympic champion Mariya Lasitskene, who will not be in Serbia after World Athletics announced it was punishing Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions, Yaroslava Mahuchikh is one of the favorites for the gold medal.
“For several days, almost all of Ukraine has been waking up to explosions and shots. Russia has started a war with us, but we are a strong people and we are resisting. All the people of Ukraine are helping our army, each other, we will endure all together”, said Yaroslava Mahuchikh. “For the Russians: stop pretending there is no war! Russia invaded Ukraine! They are bombing cities, shooting at civilians and that is our reality! By inaction you support the war! We do not want a war, but we will defend our home”, added the young Ukrainian.
Another Ukrainian who has a chance to compete for the award in Belgrade is the world and European silver medalist and European indoor champion Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk. She is also registered to take part in the triple jump. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk will have quite serious competition in the long jump in the face of the world champion under the roof and superstar of the hosts Ivana Spanovic-Vuleta.
“My country is at war, but we want to live in a free country, without Russian help, and without Russia. To support Ukraine and dream of freedom. We are a strong and independent nation. I love you, Ukraine”, wrote Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk in social networks recently.
Ukraine’s team for the World Championships also includes European silver medalist in the high jump, Iryna Gerashchenko, 11-time Ukrainian 60m champion Hanna Plotitsyna, Olympic pole vaulter Yana Hladiychuk and pentathlete Yuliya Loban.
