Imagine being at the top of your game, nailing those routines with laser focus, but in the back of your mind, all you can think is, “Are my family and friends safe?” That’s exactly what 20-year-old Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun dealt with before making it to the Paris Olympics.

In February 2022, Illia Kovtun competed at the Cottbus World Cup amid the chaos of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the heartbreaking news, Kovtun clinched gold on parallel bars and silver on pommel horse, finishing fourth and fifth on floor exercise and horizontal bar, respectively.

In an interview with the Blind Landing podcast, Kovtun opened up about the situation in his country on March 19, 2022. He expressed deep emotional distress regarding his family and friends back in Ukraine. Kovtun mentioned that talking about them made him extremely emotional, which is why he preferred to communicate in writing rather than speaking out loud on the podcast. Despite the challenges, Kovtun found solace in the camaraderie and support of his teammates.

They supported each other, especially the younger members of their group, by offering comforting words and keeping spirits high. When Illia Kovtun competed at the Cottbus World Cup in 2022, he had to balance the intense focus required for gymnastics with the overwhelming concern for his home country and loved ones.

His next stop was the Doha World Cup, where he qualified for all six apparatus event finals, winning silver on floor exercise and gold on parallel bars, among other commendable placements. At subsequent World Cup events, including those in Cairo and Baku, Kovtun continued to dominate, particularly on parallel bars, winning multiple gold medals. Due to the war, Kovtun and his team trained in exile across Europe.

As Illia Kovtun shared on the Blind Landing Podcast on March 19, 2022, “Our leadership gave us the direction to train and prepare for the next competition. Keep defending the honor of Ukraine on the sports field. So we’re trying to stay strong and make every effort to have the Ukrainian national Anthem play.”

They were supposed to switch with another group of Ukrainian gymnasts for the World Cup series, but that plan fell through. Stuck abroad, they found refuge with European gymnastics clubs. For the first few days, they were hosted by Blau-Weiss Buchholz in Germany, then spent two months at Palestra Ginnastica Ferrara in Italy. From these temporary training spots, they competed in national and international events, with Kovtun even representing the Monaco gymnastics club in the French league.

By mid-June 2022, the group, including coaches and some family members, had relocated to a gym in Osijek, Croatia. His period of displacement added another layer of complexity to their training regimen, but they persevered. So how did this gymnast stay true to his promise and bring his country pride amid the heartbreaking situation?

Illia Kovtun brings pride to Ukraine at the Paris Olympics

Despite these challenges, Illia Kovtun’s journey in 2023 included triumphs at World Cups in Cottbus, Doha, and Baku, where he won multiple medals, including golds on parallel bars. His first major title came at the European Championships, where he became the European Champion on parallel bars and also secured bronze in the all-around and horizontal bar.

In October, at the World Championships, Kovtun and his team secured a spot for Ukraine at the 2024 Olympics. Keeping true to his promise, he made sure the world’s eyes were on him and Ukraine at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun had a proud moment, snagging a silver medal in the men’s parallel bars final on August 5. This 20-year-old sensation scored an impressive 15.500 points, just 0.7 points shy of the gold winner, China’s Zou Jingyuan. Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka rounded out the podium with a score of 15.300 points.

But this silver medal isn’t just another addition to his trophy cabinet—it’s his first Olympic medal. Kovtun, a two-time World Championships medalist, made his Olympic debut at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he finished 11th in the men’s individual all-around. And let’s not forget that last week, he finished fourth twice, in the all-around final and the men’s floor exercise final, missing bronze by less than a point both times.

Reflecting on Illia’s words and triumphs, what do you think about his incredible journey and the hardships he endured to reach the pinnacle of his sport, all while having his country’s flag proudly raised on the podium at the Paris Olympics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!