Words of Ukrainian woman echo in Arena: "This medal is for my country, residents, army"

Young Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh has won a gold medal at the World Championships in Belgrade by jumping across the bar raised at 2.02m.

The new world champion dedicated the gold medal to her country, which is in a very difficult moment. She opened the press conference very emotionally, dedicating the medal to her people.

"First of all, this was my first World Indoor Championships. I am very happy that I won, this is a medal for my country, the inhabitants, the army. I am happy to represent Ukraine."

Mahuchikh also explained where she was and what was happening on February 24, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started. She said that she did not even know if she would be able to come to Belgrade, but the (Ukraine Athletics) Federation said that they had to go to Serbia and fight for their country.

"I remember when I woke up on February 24, two explosions woke me up. I called my parents, the coach, I didn't know what was happening, I understood that the Russians started the war with Ukraine. It was difficult, we fled to the village for a week, we didn't think about training, nor about participating in the World Championships. The Federation called us and said that we had to go to Belgrade, to fight for Ukraine. I traveled for four days from Ukraine to Belgrade. I am going to Germany after the competition, I hope I will be able to return to Ukraine as soon as possible," said Mahuchikh, adding:

"I am going to Germany after the competition, I hope that I will be able to return to Ukraine as soon as possible. My dad was constantly talking to his friends, who kept asking him how I felt at all times."

The coach told her not to think about what was happening in her country, but to concentrate on the competition, which she did successfully.

"I started my career in Nairobi, those were good times. Now I came here to Belgrade... My coach said that I have to concentrate on the competition and not think about Ukraine and what is happening there. I had to defend my country on the track. There are always good things I can do for my country. And I succeeded, I won gold for Ukraine. Of course, I had doubts about the result, when it all started in Ukraine, I didn't even think about training and the competition. We came here and I wanted to show a good result."

Her compatriot, who competes in the same event (high jump), Yuliya Levchenko, was not able to come to the World Championship in Belgrade.

"It was bad, because when Russia started bombing, Levchenko was in Kiev. I arrived in Belgrade, and she went to her manager in Estonia and tried to save herself from that situation. It was mentally very difficult for her. I hope she manages to recover, that we will compete together in Oregon. She will stay in Estonia, in the home of her manager until further notice."

(Telegraf.rs)