Olympic Bronze Medalist Delivers Emotional Performance While Her Country Continues To Suffer: 'I Want To Show Ukrainian People Are Strong People'

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia enjoyed a signature moment Saturday when Ukraine's lone 2020 Olympic medalist, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, soared over 6-7.50 (2.02m) to claim the gold medal. 

Located just 500 miles southwest of Ukraine, the indoor championships in Belgrade presented a golden opportunity for Mahuchikh to proudly represent her country and offer a moment of celebration and hope amid the strife and destruction at home. 

Mahuchikh fled her home of Dnipro the day the Russians invaded Feb. 24. The 20-year old managed to stay safe, keep training, and arrived in Belgrade after a three-day car ride. 

“I didn’t think I was doing it for myself or my medal, I was doing it for all the Ukrainian nation,” Mahuchikh said in a World Athletics recap. “I want to show Ukrainian people are strong people. They never give up. Our military protect our country at home and today I protect my country on the track."

Mahuchikh's performance may go down as one of the greatest moments in the history of the World Indoor Championships. 

She made a clutch third-attempt clearance at 2.00m to keep her gold medal chances alive. Australia's Eleanor Patterson cleared 2.00m on her second try. 

Another Ukrainian athlete, Iryna Geraschenko, was fifth. 

In qualifying, American hurdlers Gabriele Cunningham and Alaysha Johnson both advanced to the semifinals. 

Marvin Bracy ran a lifetime-best 6.46 and will be joined by Christian Coleman (6.51) in the next round of the men's 60 dash. 

Garrett Scantling's promising effort in the men's heptathlon ended when he withdrew with a bout of food poisoning, and did not run in the 60-meter hurdles or pole vault. 

Ajee' Wilson advanced in the women's 800 meters, but U.S. teammate Olivia Baker was eliminated.

Both American men, Joshua Thompson and Sam Prakel, advaned in the men's 1,500 meters.