Yaroslava Mahuchikh: Why one of the biggest stars at the Paris Olympics curled up in a sleeping bag as she won gold

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the Ukrainian high jumper, captivated a new audience with her distinctive preparation style as she clinched the gold medal at Stade de France on Sunday.

Australian athletes Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson made history by winning silver and bronze medals in the event, but Mahuchikh was undeniably the highlight of the competition.

Olyslagers had a shot at the gold, competing against the world champion from Ukraine at the 2.02m mark, but fell just short.

Mahuchikh delighted fans with her quirky routine, which involved wrapping herself in a green sleeping bag between jumps, likely to keep her legs warm and limber while awaiting her turn.

At times, she took it even further, lying down with her eyes closed, resting her head on her backpack, and sipping a can of Red Bull.

This approach sharply contrasted with Olyslagers’ meticulous routine, where she documents various aspects of her technique in a journal between jumps — a practice she adopted during the Tokyo Games and continued in Paris.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh bundled up in a sleeping bag between jumps at the Paris Olympics

The gold medal winner appeared relaxed, even taking naps in her sleeping bag while waiting to jump

‘I’m fascinated by how Yaroslava Mahuchikh snuggles into a sleeping bag, while Nicola Olyslagers instantly begins jotting notes after their high jump attempts. Such a contrast in styles!’ a follower shared on social media platform X.

‘That sleeping bag is a pro move,’ another added.

‘It was clear that both methods worked remarkably well for them. I appreciated how thought-provoking it all was,’ tweeted another fan.

While Australians may feel disheartened that their athletes fell short of gold, Mahuchikh’s journey to the Olympics is nothing short of legendary.

Back in February 2022, Yaroslava Mahuchikh fled Ukraine under fire, escaping the chaos of the Russian invasion.

Since then, she has trained and lived across numerous countries including Portugal, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, undergoing significant disruptions in her preparation for the Paris Games.

Viewers appreciated Yaroslava Mahuchikh’s laid-back demeanor amid the competitive environment in Paris

Australian competitor Nicola Olyslagers intensely took notes on her performance between jumps

Olyslagers, a committed Christian, prays before each jump and expresses that her leaps are filled with “joy for Jesus.”

Her infectious positivity quickly captured the Stade de France crowd’s heart and the attention of millions of viewers at home. She engaged the spectators before every attempt, beaming with happiness whenever she successfully cleared her jump.

‘Olyslagers lights up the arena with her smile, it’s contagious,’ one fan remarked.

‘Olyslagers’ competition expressions are remarkable. Genuine joy in sports is rare to see,’ noted another.

‘Nicola Olyslagers is not just an athlete, she embodies positivity and dedication — a true icon,’ added another admirer.