Oleksandra Paskal’s New York Showcase
A young Ukrainian gymnast, Oleksandra Paskal, who lost her leg after a Russian missile strike, performed in the heart of New York City’s Times Square to draw global attention to the plight of children living through war in Ukraine. Accompanied by her mother, Maria, Oleksandra visited UN headquarters beforehand to highlight the dire circumstances facing many young people in her homeland.
Road to Recovery
Oleksandra has been training in rhythmic gymnastics since early childhood. During an attack in 2022, she sustained severe injuries: an open arm fracture, four broken ribs, a head injury, and multiple shrapnel wounds. She spent over two weeks in intensive care and 15 days in a medically induced coma before doctors amputated her leg. After several months of rehabilitation, she returned to the sport. Today, she performs dance and acrobatic routines using a modern prosthetic limb.
Since resuming gymnastics, she trains three to four hours a day, five days a week, and competes alongside children without disabilities. At age seven in 2023, she made her post-injury competition debut. In 2024, she participated in a tournament organized by Anna Rizatdinova, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist. Oleksandra dreams of representing Ukraine at the Paralympics one day, should rhythmic gymnastics be added to the program.
“I think without sports, everything would be much worse. She would have withdrawn into herself and been ashamed of her prosthetic leg. But when she competes, she isn’t shy—she becomes much more confident.”
Maria Paskal, Oleksandra’s mother
In June 2026, Oleksandra earned a gold medal at the Carla’s Rhythmic Cup in Brașov, Romania—a significant milestone in her athletic career.
Oleksandra’s international performance not only underscores her personal strength and determination but also serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities facing children in war-torn Ukraine. Her story inspires other children facing adversity, showing that recovery and success are possible despite challenging circumstances. This New York debut, along with her victory in Romania, emphasizes the need to support young athletes and to remain aware of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.