Ukrainian high jumper relaxes in sleeping bag during Olympics final before winning gold

Mahuchikh was the top contender for the women’s high jump gold medal after breaking the 37-year-old world record at the Diamond League in Paris last month with a jump of 2.10 meters. She garnered even more attention when she arrived at the Olympic final at Stade de France Stadium with a green sleeping bag.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh lays down on her mattress and tucks herself into a sleeping bag during the Olympic women’s high jump final on Aug. 4, 2024. Photo by AFP

Between jumps, Mahuchikh wrapped the sleeping bag around her legs, spread out a mattress, and rested her head on her bag. The audience speculated whether she was sleeping or meditating. According to the Daily Mail, Mahuchikh used the sleeping bag to keep her feet warm. The 22-year-old athlete appeared unconcerned about her opponents’ results.

“I feel comfortable when I lay down and sometimes I can watch the clouds,” Mahuchikh told Time magazine. “Sometimes I can count numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, or breathe in, breathe out. It’s like, relax, [and] not think about that I’m at [the] stadium.”

The strategy proved effective when Mahuchikh cleared the 2-meter bar, securing gold ahead of Australian Nicola Olyslagers. Olyslagers also cleared the 2-meter mark but required more attempts. The bronze medal was shared between Ukrainian Iryna Gerashchenko and Australia’s Eleanor Patterson, both clearing 1.95 meters.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh wears the Ukraine flag after winning the women’s high jump gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. Photo by AP

According to The New York Times, Mahuchikh’s routine began in 2018 when she won gold at the Youth Olympics. Her coach, Serhii Stepanov, explained that sitting too long between jumps is not ideal for her legs, leading to the idea of using a sleeping bag.

Whenever Mahuchikh competes, she carries a backpack containing a yoga mat, a sleeping bag, and a change of socks. Sometimes, she even wears a hoodie.