SAINT-DENIS, France – Ukraine’s Yaroslava Manuchikh won the Olympic Games high jump title on a night that never was about just the gold medal.
Manuchikh initially considered volunteering to help Ukrainian troops on the front lines shortly after Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
Instead, she decided she should her platform as the world’s premier high jumper to raise awareness for her war torn nation on a global stage.
Manuchikh, 22, added the Olympic gold medal to the world record she set last month, also in Paris, beating Austraiia’s Nicola Olyslagers on fewer misses after both jumpers cleared 6-feet-6 3/4. Iryna Gerashchenko, Mahuchikh’s Ukranian teammate, tied with Australia’s Eleanor Patterson for the bronze medals at 6-4 3/4.
“We won medals for our people, for our defenders,” Manuchikh said. “It’s really important. It gives them a platform to talk about the situation about Ukraine. Unfortunately, even at an Olympic Games, the war goes on. We’ve had a lot of alarms and explosions in my region. It’s really tough for us, but we’re fighting on every field. We do our best.
Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan also captured the bronze medal in the men’s hammer throw.
The high jump, Mahuckikh has said, “is my front line.”
Last summer she won the gold medal at the World Championships in Budapest. Then at the Paris Diamond League meet she cleared 2-meters-10, 6-feet, 10 3/4 inches, one centimeter above the 37-year-old world record of 2.09 held by Bulgaria’s Stefka Kostadinova.
“We’re very happy for tonight,” she said Sunday. “We’re happy to share our happiness with our people, our team, people who support us from Ukraine, from home. We did all we can tonight, and we have three medals. For us, for Ukraine track and field, it is a big celebration. We hope maybe next time, it’ll be better.”
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