How a smiling Yaroslava Mahuchikh sensationally broke a 37-year-old world record

At Stade Charléty, in the city of the 2024 Summer Games that are just over two weeks away, the stars aligned for the Ukranian superstar. The reigning World Champion first set a Personal Best and new National Record when she cleared 2.07m with her second attempt. And incredibly, attempting the all-time record mark of 2.10m, she started off her run-up with a smile on her face, accelerated beautifully towards her mark and the 22-year-old cleared the height in her first attempt. As she got back up, she took a quick look to make sure the bar hadn’t dislodged (it wobbled just for a bit but stayed on) and off she went celebrating. The reaction said it all. She roared in disbelief as the crowd gasped.

“For two years, I’ve believed I can do this. Mentally, I was so strong and I knew I could do it. I have signed the name of Ukraine into the history of sport,” she said later.

The reigning world champion and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist brushed off suggestions that the jump had made her the clear favourite for the Paris Olympics, which begins on July 26. “I am looking forward to the Olympic Games here. I am sure it will be a great competition with an even better atmosphere, but I know it will be hard and very competitive,” she said.

Mahuchikh, who fled her home city of Dnipro in early 2022 after the Russian invasion, has spoken in the past about competing with pride for her war-torn nation. “I’m competing for my country, for my people, for our soldiers,” she had said in April. “I’m thankful to all of them that I have the opportunity to train outside of Ukraine and to represent my country. I like the fact that people have been inspired by me to start track and field.”