Photo: NOC
On February 14, Ukrainian athletes competed in six sports at the XXV Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina:
- Alpine skiing (giant slalom)
- Cross-country skiing (relay)
- Biathlon (sprint)
- Ski jumping (large hill)
- Freestyle skiing (big air)
- Short track (1500 m)
Two athletes achieved historic results for Ukraine.
Kateryna Kotsar became the first Ukrainian in history to reach an Olympic freestyle skiing final (big air). She scored 75.79 and 75.75 points in her first two qualification attempts. Despite a failed third attempt and a fall during an extremely difficult jump, her total of 155.50 points placed her 11th, securing a spot in the final on February 16.
Oleh Handey made history in short track, becoming the first Ukrainian to reach an Olympic B final (consolation final) in the 1500 m event. After a dramatic incident in the quarterfinals—where he collided with an Italian competitor but was impeded by Dutch skater Friso Emons, who was later disqualified—Handey finished with a time of 2:58.831, advanced to the semifinals, and ultimately placed 16th in the final B.
Other notable Ukrainian performances:
Alpine skiing (men’s giant slalom): Dmytro Shepyuk improved from 43rd after the first run to 40th overall.
Biathlon (women’s sprint): Olympic champion 2014 Yuliia Dzhima hit all 10 targets, finishing 24th; Oleksandra Merkushyna and Khrystyna Dmytrenko made one miss each (42nd and 54th), and Olena Horodna finished 76th.
Ski jumping (men’s large hill): Yevhen Marusiak and Vitalii Kalinichenko failed to reach the final round; Marusiak jumped 124.5 m (41st), Kalinichenko 120.5 m (44th).
Cross-country skiing (women’s relay 4 × 7.5 km): Anastasiia Nikon, Sofiia Shkatula, Yelyzaveta Nopriienko, and Daryna Myhal were unable to complete the race.
Kotsar and Handey’s achievements highlight Ukraine’s growing presence in winter sports and mark historic milestones for the nation at the Milan–Cortina Olympics.
