Olympic high jumper

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, a Ukrainian high jumper, won gold at the Paris Olympics, captivating audiences with her unique relaxation method of using a sleeping bag between jumps. This routine, which involves lying down, counting numbers, or watching clouds, began in 2018 to prevent blood from pooling in her legs during competitions. Her coach, Serhii Stepanov, recommended this approach after noticing the discomfort she faced when sitting for extended periods. Mahuchikh's victory is particularly poignant as she fled Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, and she dedicated her win to the nearly 500 Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives in the conflict. While Australian athletes Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson claimed silver and bronze, Mahuchikh's story and her unconventional methods have garnered her a legion of fans. Her advice to fellow athletes includes using a mat and blanket for comfort in varying weather conditions, proving that her unique approach is both practical and effective.