On Wednesday, the national anthem of Ukraine was played at the Lappeenranta GP competition in honor of Ukraine’s Independence Day. Pole vaulter Maryna Kylypko thanked Finns for their support.
Ukrainian pole vaulter Maryna Kylypko was moved to tears at the athletics GP competitions organized in Lappeenranta on the 31st Independence Day of his home country. The competition organizers played the national anthem of Ukraine after the break of the women’s pole vault competition, after which the 26-year-old Kylypko sent greetings to his homeland in Ukrainian.
Kylypko comes from near the Russian border, in the million-strong city of Kharkiv, where his family lives. Half a year has passed since the war of aggression started by Russia on Wednesday.
– I am really worried about my family and I love my home country. I’m stressed every day about the situation in my family and home country, Kylypko said in English.
– I want to thank the Finns and the competition organizers for their support.
You can watch the video about the national anthem and Holypko’s reaction from the main picture of this story.
Kylypko has competed in Finland several times, earlier this summer in the Paavo Nurmi Games and in Kuortane.
– There are good competition arrangements here. Here in Lappeenranta there is a beautiful stadium and a beautiful sky, in Ukraine there is nothing but fire in the sky, Kylypko pointed up.
Pole vaulting has turned into a side event in Holypko’s life this season, which has also been reflected in his score level. Kylypko qualified for the finals at the European Championships in Munich, but was happy Wilma Murron from the sensational European Championship.
– I was really surprised by his win, but it was great, my congratulations! His record used to be 472 and now it is 485. It’s a great result, Kylypko rejoiced.
Last year Holypko, Murto and Slovenian Tina Sutej tied for fifth place in the Olympics with a score of 450.
Kylypko won in Lappeenranta with a score of 435. EC finalist Elina Lampela the result was a low of 415, while a high of 430 produced three drops.