Ukraine is sending a team of 142 athletes to the Paris Olympics, each carrying the nation’s hopes for podium finishes in athletics, gymnastics, and tennis. Despite facing harsh training conditions due to the ongoing war, these athletes have turned their struggle into a powerful drive. Their grit and determination are set to make for an inspiring and thrilling display of Ukrainian talent at the Games.
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The 33rd Paris Olympic Games will mark the eighth appearance of independent Ukraine on the Olympic stage. This year, the Ukrainian team will be the smallest in history, comprising just 142 athletes, a direct consequence of the ongoing war. However, the adversity Ukraine faces is also a powerful motivator for its athletes, fueling their determination to win medals, uplift national morale, and demonstrate to the world that Ukraine is steadfast in its pursuit of victory.
The war has profoundly affected sports. Since 2014, athletes have been unable to train normally in eastern Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea led to the loss of critical training facilities in Alushta and Yevpatoria. As of 2022, regions such as Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv have been on the front lines, making regular sports activities impossible. Many young athletes from these areas have had to abandon their professional dreams, with only those relocating to safer cities or abroad finding more favourable conditions.
Ukrainian sports are currently grappling with a severe shortage of facilities, fields, and stadiums. With the majority of funding directed towards military needs, sports are receiving minimal attention. Only national teams are seeing any level of support. Some sports that once enjoyed strong followings are now struggling. Men’s race walking is a notable example. In Paris, Ukraine will be represented by Igor Glavan, Ivan Banzeruk, and Serhiy Svitlychnyi (as a reserve). However, Marian Zakalnytskyi, the 2018 European champion, 29-year-old four-time Ukrainian champion Ivan Losev, and 2015 World University champion Nazar Kovalenko—who might have competed—are now serving in the armed forces.
High jumper Kateryna Tabashnyk also has the potential to qualify for the Games. At 30, she won bronze at the 2023 European Indoor Championships. Yet, after the tragic event on August 18, 2022, when a Russian missile struck her residential building and claimed her mother’s life, focusing on sports has been a significant challenge for her.
Despite the tough circumstances, Ukraine’s team is packed with athletes who have serious medal potential. According to Gracenote analysts, based on recent World Championships and World Cup results, Ukraine is set to snag 17 medals—2 gold, 5 silver, and 10 bronze—landing them 14th in the overall standings. Let’s dive into Ukraine’s top medal hopefuls.
Athletics
Athletics will field the largest Ukrainian team with 25 athletes, though this is a big drop from previous Games—there were 78 Ukrainians in London 2012. This is where Ukraine’s best shot at gold lies. Yaroslava Maguchikh, a 22-year-old high jumper, is a standout. She snagged bronze at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago and has since racked up a World Championship title, two European Championships, and recently shattered the world record. At the Diamond League event in Paris, Yaroslava cleared 2.10 meters, surpassing the 1987 record held by Bulgaria’s Stefka Kostadinova by just one centimetre.
Three Ukrainian high jumpers are making waves and eyeing Olympic medals. Andriy Protsenko, 36, is gearing up for his fourth Olympics. In Rio 2016, he just missed the podium, finishing fourth. The war in Ukraine kept him in the occupied city of Kherson for a long time, where he trained with makeshift equipment like iron and wheels. Despite these hurdles, Protsenko clinched his first career medal—a bronze—at the 2022 World Championships. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Andriy Lavsky from Lviv recently made headlines by clearing 2.29 meters and snagging silver at the European Championships in Rome. Another strong contender is Oleh Doroshchuk from Kropyvnytskyi, who also won bronze at the same event.
In addition to high jumping, Ukrainian athletes have medal chances in three other events. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, who previously earned silver at the World Championships and placed fifth in the long jump at the Tokyo Olympics, has shifted her focus to the triple jump. She’s already found success here, becoming the 2022 European Champion and winning silver at the 2023 World Championships.
Of course, Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk faces a tough challenge in surpassing the world leader, Yulimar Rojas from Venezuela. Rojas shattered the world record set by Ukrainian legend Inesa Kravets with a jump of 15.74 meters in 2022. Still, Bekh-Romanchuk is well-positioned for a shot at silver or bronze. Sprinter Liudmyla Olyanovska also had a standout year, clinching a bronze medal at the European Championships in Rome with a dramatic finish. She outpaced Spain’s Laura Garcia, who had crossed the line waving her national flag, convinced of her own victory.
In the hammer throw, 20-year-old Mykhaylo Kokhan came tantalizingly close to a medal in the previous Olympics, finishing fourth—a notable achievement for his age. This year, he earned a bronze at the European Championships in Rome. Kokhan consistently throws the hammer 80 meters, a distance that guarantees a spot on the podium in any major competition.
Swimming
Two decades ago, the Ukrainian Olympic swimming team was a true powerhouse, brimming with star athletes. This year, only five Ukrainian swimmers will make their way to the Olympics, but nearly all of them have the potential to clinch top-level medals. Mykhailo Romanchuk, who bagged silver in the 1500m freestyle and bronze in the 800m freestyle at the last Olympics, has only gotten better. He’s shattered his own national record in the 1500m (now at 14:36.10) and became the European champion in both distances. In June, he secured gold in the 800 meters, showcasing his continued dominance.
At the same championship, 18-year-old Oleksandr Zheltiakov made a splash. This rising star from Dnipro, who dazzled with two gold medals at the World and European Junior Championships last year, now holds the national record in the 200m backstroke with a time of 1:55.39. Historically, Ukraine has never had a top-tier backstroke swimmer, making Zheltiakov’s achievement even more impressive. Another breakthrough came from 22-year-old Vladyslav Bukhov from Donetsk. In February, he delivered Ukraine’s first gold medal in 17 years at the World Championships by winning the 50m freestyle. He followed this up by breaking the national record in Doha with a blistering time of 21.38 seconds.
Combat Sports
Ukrainian boxing is currently facing a tough period. Amid the ongoing dispute over which federation holds legitimacy, the sport has lost considerable ground. With only three Olympic licenses secured, Oleksandr Khyzhnyak (up to 80 kg) stands out as Ukraine’s only real medal hopeful. At 28, Oleksandr is determined to achieve what eluded him in Tokyo three years ago. He had previously entered the Olympics undefeated, boasting victories in the World Championships, European Championships, and European Games.
An Olympic gold medal would have completed his impressive collection. However, despite his dominance over Brazilian Ebert Conceição in the first two rounds of their final match, Oleksandr got carried away in the third round. A missed left sidekick led to him being knocked out, leaving him with a silver medal instead of the gold he so desperately wanted.
At 33, Zhan Beleniuk, competing in freestyle wrestling (up to 87 kg), is eyeing a grand slam of accolades. As the Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020, a two-time world champion, and a three-time European champion, Zhan’s focus over the past three years has shifted toward his role as a people’s deputy, leaving his wrestling career on the back burner. His recent performances, including bronze medals at the World and European Championships, haven’t quite dazzled. But considering how Beleniuk managed to secure an Olympic gold despite a shoulder injury in Tokyo, there’s every reason to believe he’s still in the running for gold today. Similarly, Parviz Nasibov, a Greco-Roman wrestler in the under 67 kg category, has the potential to recreate his impressive Olympic run from three years ago. In Tokyo, Nasibov’s silver medal was a standout achievement, and he, along with his coaching team, is laser-focused on clinching gold this time around.
In women’s wrestling, keep an eye on Oksana Livach (up to 50 kg), Alina Hrushyna-Akobiia (up to 57 kg), and especially Iryna Koliadenko (up to 62 kg), who won bronze at the last Olympics. Over the past three years, Iryna has added two European Championship titles and a World Championship bronze to her resume. Now, she’s set on building on her Olympic success and chasing that elusive gold.
On the flip side, Ukrainian freestyle wrestling is facing a significant downturn. Once a standout in terms of Olympic medals, it now struggles to make an impact. At the last Olympics, Ukraine’s representation was limited to two wrestlers who were eliminated after their first bouts. With no wrestlers initially qualifying for Paris 2024, it seemed like a bleak situation. However, Ukraine secured three last-minute licenses when Russian athletes were banned from the Games. Despite these setbacks, there is a glimmer of hope with Vasyl Mykhailov in the 79 kg category. Mykhailov, who has twice clinched bronze at the World Championships and won gold at the 2023 European Championships, is expected to lead a resurgence and offer a chance at redemption.
Fencing
Olga Kharlan, at 33, is heading into her fifth Olympics with a dream that’s still just out of reach: an individual gold medal. Throughout her impressive career, she’s already amassed four Olympic medals—gold and silver in team events from Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016, plus two individual bronzes from London 2012 and Rio 2016. A six-time world champion and eight-time European champion, Olga’s collection is almost complete, but the elusive individual Olympic gold remains her crowning ambition.
While Ukraine’s fencing team has strong prospects for team medals, this year’s squad will be its smallest ever at the Games. For the first time since Ukraine’s Olympic fencing debut, there will be no male fencers competing. Only the female fencers and épéeists have qualified, making the absence of male competitors a notable shift for the team.
Shooting
In another traditionally strong event, shooting, Ukraine will have a reduced presence with only five representatives—four men and the legendary Olena Kostevych. The 39-year-old Olympic champion from Athens 2004 will be participating in her sixth Olympic Games. Olena has previously won three bronze medals in addition to her gold medal from 20 years ago. She will be one of the favourites in the pistol competition in Paris.
Canoeing
Our top canoeist, Liudmyla Luzan, has a strong chance of winning a medal. Three years ago in Tokyo, she secured two medals—silver and bronze. In Paris, Liudmyla will compete for gold again, both individually and in partnership with Anastasia Rybachok. The Ukrainian women will also be the traditional favourites in the women’s four-person canoe race. Moreover, our quartet is highly decorated. Last year, Yevheniia Dovhodko, Kateryna Dudchenko, and Daryna Verkhohliad, led by London 2012 Olympic champion Anastasiia Kozhenkova, became European champions in Bled, Slovenia, and will aim to continue their success.
Gymnastics
Ukraine has long been a powerhouse in artistic gymnastics, and this year, there’s a lot of excitement around Illia Kovtun, 20. Unbeaten at the youth level, Ilia dazzled at the European Championships in Rimini, Italy, where he scooped up three gold medals. With his talent and versatility, he’s poised to shine in both individual events and the all-around competition.
The Ukrainian team also looks strong for the team event. At the European Championships in Rimini, they clinched gold, showcasing their depth and skill. The squad features top gymnasts like Igor Radivilov, a London 2012 Olympic medalist competing in his fourth Olympics, and Nazar Chepurnyi. The standout is Oleg Verniaiev, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion. Now 30, Verniaev has returned to the Games after an eight-year break following a suspension for anti-doping rule violations, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s medal prospects.
Tennis
In tennis, Ukraine is set to make its biggest and most impressive splash yet. Four Ukrainian women—Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska, and Anhelina Kalinina—will compete in the singles draw, each with a strong shot at a medal. All eyes will be on Elina Svitolina, who continues to hold a spot in the world’s top 10. Having clinched a bronze medal in Tokyo three years ago, she’s been making waves in the rankings since returning to the sport after having a child. Her comeback has been remarkable, and she’s definitely one to watch as she aims to add to her impressive resume.
Football
For the first time ever, Ukraine will make its debut in the Olympic football tournament. While it’s not as high-profile as the World Cup or the Euro, it’s still a big deal. Olympic teams are made up of players under 23, but they can include up to three older players. Argentina is making the most of this rule by bringing in World Cup champs like Nicolas Otamendi, Julian Alvarez, and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who also played a key role in their Copa América victory. Morocco, too, has some top-notch players in their squad.
In their group stage, Ukraine will be up against Argentina, Morocco, and Iraq. Only the top two teams from each group will move on to the quarter-finals. It’ll be exciting to see if the Ukrainian team can make a surprising run and prove themselves on this new stage.
