Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh has a habit of resting on the field during breaks with her own sleeping bag. In this year’s Paris Olympics, she took a nap on the sidelines as usual, and when she woke up, she had already won the gold medal. She became known as the “Olympic Sleeping Beauty” for winning the title in such a unique way.
At 22 years old, Mahuchikh is the current women’s high jump world record holder. She successfully challenged 2.1 meters at the Diamond League Paris meet in July, breaking the 37-year-old world record.
In the women’s high jump final at the Paris Olympics on August 4th, despite being the number one seed, she failed to clear 2.04 meters. However, her successful first attempt at 2 meters still earned her the gold medal.
Interestingly, she would wait for other athletes to take their jumps while she nestled in her own sleeping bag on the sidelines to rest or nap. Photographers captured moments of her lying in her sleeping bag, earning her the title of “Olympic Sleeping Beauty.”
Regarding her habit of napping on the sidelines, Mahuchikh told TIME magazine in an interview after winning the gold medal: “When I lay down, I feel comfortable. Sometimes I look at the clouds. Sometimes I count, 1, 2, 3, 4, or breathe in and out. It’s like relaxing, not thinking about the competition field.”
The New York Times reported that Mahuchikh’s unique habit began in 2018 when she won at the Youth Olympic Games. Her coach suggested that sitting too long between jumps might cause blood to pool in her legs, affecting subsequent attempts. Hence, the idea of resting lying down in her own sleeping bag was born.
Aside from the sleeping bag, Mahuchikh also carries a yoga mat and spare socks in her backpack. Sometimes, she also brings a hooded sweatshirt.
During a press conference after winning the gold medal, she mentioned that she gets a new sleeping bag every season. She recommended that other female athletes also prepare such mats and sleeping bags, as they are comfortable to lie in regardless of weather conditions.
Despite Mahuchikh’s gold medal win and media attention, her journey has been quite challenging, especially with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Mahuchikh said, “About 500 athletes have died in this war. They can never compete, never celebrate, and never feel this atmosphere. I am happy to win the gold medal; this victory belongs to everyone.”
Mahuchikh was born in Dnipro, a city in central-southern Ukraine. She started high jump training at the age of 13 and won the IAAF high jump gold at 15.
In February 2022, Russia invaded her homeland. Their family embarked on a fleeing journey in the early hours and eventually reached Kyiv, where they received rescue.
Mahuchikh knew that winning gold was the best way she could help her country. Therefore, she left her family in the war-torn area to continue competing and bring honor to Ukraine.