On the journey to the Madrid 2025 European Athletics Team Championships from 27-29 June, we shine the spotlight on Ukraine- a proud athletics nation who are best known for their presence in the field events.
Despite ongoing challenges away from the track, Ukraine has remained a mainstay in the top tier of European team competition, suffering relegation - through a withdrawal - just once since the championship’s inaugural edition in 2009.
Flashback to 2023
In Silesia 2023, Ukraine made their first appearance in the Second Division - not due to a traditional relegation but following a forced withdrawal from the 2021 edition. They responded with a strong, complete performance to earn them second place behind Hungary to swiftly return them to the topflight.
There were several standout performances throughout the tense competition. Reigning world and Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh cruised to victory in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.97m with ease to beat Romania's Daniela Stanciu and secure maximum points.
Turning to the men’s events, Vladyslav Shepeliev kept the momentum going with a dominant win in the men’s triple jump, landing at 16.67m — the only athlete in the field to surpass the 16-metre mark. Ukraine also claimed victory in the men’s 4x100m relay, clocking a season’s best of 39.03.
Track Record
- Stockholm 2011, Sweden (3rd Place- Super League)
In Stockholm 2011, Ukraine delivered a remarkable performance to secure their only podium finish to date in the Super League, claiming third place. The team showcased impressive depth and balance, with multiple athletes setting championship records.
The standout moment came from Dmytro Dem’yanuk, who soared over 2.35m in the high jump—a lifetime best that, had he replicated it later that year, would have clinched gold at the World Championships. Olha Saladukha added further momentum, setting a championship record in the women’s triple jump to secure maximum points for Ukraine.
- Cheboksary 2015, Russia (7th Place- Super League)
At Cheboksary 2015, Ukraine once again found themselves in familiar territory—firmly mid-table in the Super League, a position they have frequently occupied since 2011. Finishing seventh, they were well clear of relegation danger, 49 points ahead of eighth-place Spain, but never truly in the hunt for the podium. A narrative that had become all too familiar for Ukraine during this period.
Despite the underwhelming team placement, Ukraine’s campaign featured moments of individual brilliance. 2014 European bronze medallist Serhiy Smelyk clinched a season’s best in winning the men’s 200m (20.45).
- Bydgoszcz 2019, Poland (7th Place- Super League)
In 2019, Ukraine once again finished in seventh place, but unlike in 2015, they found themselves locked in a tense relegation battle. Ultimately, they survived—edging out the Czech Republic by just 5.5 points to retain their Super League status.
With relegation on the line every point took on greater significance, their only victory came from Yulia Levchenko in the women's high jump- a result that proved a crucial boost. Just as significant was the third-place finish in the men’s 4x100m relay.
Key athletes
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh- Women's high jump
The face of Ukrainian athletics, Yaroslava Mahuchikh continues to dazzle in yellow and blue. In 2024, she made history by becoming the first woman ever to clear 2.10m in the high jump—breaking a world record that had stood unchallenged for 37 years.
Now both the reigning world and Olympic champion, Mahuchikh is not just a symbol of Ukrainian sporting excellence, but a global icon poised to inspire and deliver once again in Madrid.
- Oleksandr Pohorilko- Men's 400m
Ukraine’s most promising quarter-miler, Oleksandr Pohorilko (pictured above, right) has steadily climbed the ranks with impressive consistency and a growing record of championship experience.
He recently won at the Ukrainian Team Championships in 45.03, the second fastest time of his career so far. The national record-holder with a 44.94 from 2024, Pohorilko is building momentum into the summer — and a return to sub-45 form could put him firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish in Madrid.
- Mykhaylo Kokhan- Men's hammer throw
At just 24 years old, Mykhaylo Kokhan has emerged as one of Europe’s brightest hammer throw prospects. After dominating the Espoo 2023 European Athletics U23 Championships, Kokhan truly broke through in 2024, capturing bronze medals at both the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships and the Paris Olympics. His rapid rise has firmly established him as a key figure in Ukraine’s field event squad heading into Madrid.
- Oleh Doroshchuk- Men's high jump
Another rising star in the field for Ukraine is Oleh Doroshchuk, enjoying his breakout run over the past two seasons. After winning bronze in Rome 2024 and making the Olympic final later the same year, Doroshchuk leapt too new heights claiming his first senior gold at the Apeldoorn 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships with a personal best of 2.34m.
Now established as one of the continents elites Doroshchuk looks set to continue his indoor form and claim crucial points in Madrid.
- Artur Felfner- Men's javelin
One of Ukraine’s brightest young talents, Artur Felfner has quickly risen through the ranks with standout performances at every age group. A world and European U20 champion, Felfner claimed U23 gold at Espoo 2023 and placed eighth at Rome 2024. With a personal best over 83.00m Felfner will be chasing a top three finish in Madrid.