Yaroslava Maguchikh at the 2024 Olympics
Ukraine is currently ranked 17th in the medal ranking at the Olympic Games in Paris, which is a better result compared to the previous two Olympics. Kostyantyn Dultsev, a journalist and sports commentator, told Hromadske Radio about the awards won by our team and whether these results were expected.
«Ukraine is currently ranked 17th in the medal ranking at this Olympics. The fact that we are now in the top 20 is a great result because this was not the case at the previous two Olympics», — Dultsev said.
The first award for Ukraine at this Olympics was Olga Harlan’s bronze medal in the individual sabre competition. Soon after, Ukrainian sabre fencers won gold in the team competition.
«Olga Harlan came here to win gold in the individual sabre. This is most likely the last Olympics in her career. It is the individual gold at the Olympics that is missing from her collection, but bronze is bronze.
What Harlan has done in the individual sabre is something I haven’t seen in a long time. She gave her life on this track, which was the last time she went out. Twenty-two stabs out of 45 – she actually pulled the team through alone», — the journalist said.
Yaroslava Maguchikh won the second gold medal for Ukraine in the high jump. She was considered the main contender for the victory, as she had recently set a world record by clearing 2.10 metres.
«Of course, I would like her to set an Olympic record, but a gold medal is also great. I was very worried about yesterday’s competition because a month and a half ago Yaroslava set a world record that had stood for 37 years, and then everyone wondered if she had reached the peak of her form too early.»
On the same day, Iryna Gerashchenko won a bronze medal in the high jump, and Mykhailo Kokhan won a bronze medal in the hammer throw.
«Kokhan is a young athlete, and I think the next Olympics will be his. This is his second Games in Paris. In Tokyo, he took fifth place», — said Dultsev.
Another silver medallist at the 2024 Olympics in small-calibre rifle shooting from three positions was Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish.