“We’re trying to stay strong and make every effort to have the Ukrainian national Anthem played,” said Ilia Kovtun in March 2022. Nearly two years later, on August 5, 2024, Kovtun’s parallel bar preface in Paris came close to ensuring his national anthem played on the grandest stage. Although the gymnastics icon fell short of winning silver, he had made his country proud.
Yet despite the glory at the Olympics, the reality of the situation in his nation didn’t change. Now months after winning his Olympic hardware, Kovtun penned an emotional post on the 1000th day since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Times are not easy for the Ukrainian people… Life hits our people from all sides,” Kovtun wrote in his post.
However, the gymnast explained how despite the hardship every citizen of his nation continues to showcase their resilience. “How am I? I don’t know… I’m holding on,” confessed the Olympic silver medalist. However, the 21-year-old sensation has remained steadfast in his quest to bring glory to Ukraine through gymnastics. The gymnast’s brave confession left fans emotional.
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“This breaks my heart,” one fan who saw the two-time world championship shine medalist on the grandest stage despite the challenges, wrote on Reddit. With a score of 15.500 points, Kovtun missed out on the gold medal against China’s Zou Jingyuan by just 0.7 points. So, the Olympian’s quest to stanch the ultimate prize continues undeterred and with a patriotic zeal.
“My mission is to glorify Ukraine in difficult times through sports and achievements, and it occupies most of my life and my hands do not have time to fall, my legs to bend, my thoughts to panic,” proclaimed the 21-year-old gymnastics icon. “I have to! We must! Let’s hold on!” added Ilia Kovtun yet again emphasizing the determination to succeed.
One fan found the indomitable spirit of the four-time European Championships gold medalist inspiring yet distressing. “Beautiful, but sad post. Slava Ukraine,” commented the gymnastics enthusiast. However, despite the inspiration and support from his family members, Kovtun’s journey continues to be difficult.
The Ukrainian gymnastics icon has yet to fully address a serious issue
Illia Kovtun injured his foot in 2023, six months ahead of the World Cup. However, the injury intensified thanks to regular training. By that time, Kovtun had training at Osijek, Croatia for nearly a year and doctors gave him two options. “To have surgery right away and miss the World Cup or to have surgery after the World Cup,” said the gymnast.
“The team needed me, so I decided to continue training under strong painkillers.” Illia Kovtun told online news outlet Svidomi in October 2024. The gymnastics star then consulted doctors from Israel, Italy, Germany, and Japan and they all recommended having surgery by December 2023. However, the minor surgery at the end of 2023 acted as a spot-gap solution.
That’s why several fans highlighted Kovtun’s ongoing predicament. “Doesn’t he desperately need surgery? Don’t get me wrong his commitment to representing his country is awe-inspiring but it’s tragic he’s putting himself through so much pain,” commented a concerned fan. So one Reddit user explained why the World Championship silver medalist only opted for a minor surgery.
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“He’s been needing surgery since like September last year. He then had a small surgery to reduce some of the pain but they didn’t even dare touch his ligaments and tendons cause that would’ve taken him out of Paris.” revealed the fan and he was right. “The surgery fixed the bone problems,” Kovtun told Svidomi, but the relief didn’t last til the Olympics.
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The Ukrainian gymnastics champion reinjured his foot before the Olympics and needed rehab. However, Illia Kovtun didn’t let the injury derail his plans to compete in the Olympics. Now, months after winning an Olympic medal, Kovtun’s post helped many fans understand his perspective.
“I know many of us comment saying that Illia should rest and take a break from competing to heal his injuries, but this post explains why he finds it so important to compete and represent Ukraine as often as possible…” commented the Reddit user. However, there’s a silver lining for the Illia Kovtun. “Closer to the New Year, I’ll start the full recovery of my foot,” he told Svidomi. What did you think of the Ukranian gymnast’s post? Tell us in the comments.
‘Breaks My Heart’: Gymnastics Community in Tears as Paris Olympics Silver Medalist Makes Heartbreaking Confession
