Ukrainian gymnast Maria Vysochanskaya, who is representing our country at the 2024 Olympics, has had her cherished dream come true: her father Oleg Vysochansky, who is fighting the occupiers on the front line, came to Paris to support his daughter.
He went to defend the fatherland from the first days of the Russian invasion, back in 2014 he took part in the battles for the Donetsk airport, and became a legendary “cyborg”.
Until the last moment, he did not know whether he would be able to get to his daughter in Paris, given the difficult situation on the battlefield.
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—When Marusya was little, she said: “I will be an Olympic champion”. Therefore, in order to see his daughter at her desired Olympics, last year he planned a vacation for August.
But this is war, there are circumstances, complicated logistics. It also depended on the commander: whether he would let me go, whether he would understand. But this is not as important for me as for my child, because I promised Maria that I could, that I would come. I could. I am happy, — said Oleg Vysochansky.
According to the serviceman, the sports competitions in which Ukraine competes at the international level are of great importance in the conditions of a full-scale war.
— Is sports important now? Of course. We are fighting for this, so that our children can get an education, play sports and live a full life. This is our Ukrainian propaganda: that we are strong, that we can defeat both invaders at the front and decent people in a fair sports fight, — he explained.
Maria Vysochanskaya — gymnast from Ukraine at the 2024 Olympics
Maria Vysochanskaya — is one of five gymnasts on the Ukrainian national team representing our country in rhythmic gymnastics group exercises.
She is the team captain and the most experienced of her partners, as this is her second Olympic Games. Maria also took part in the Tokyo Olympics, where she performed with a pin in her leg 5 months after a very serious injury.
Then, together with other Ukrainians, they became seventh.
