Compensation for Athletes at the 2026 Olympics
The Ukrainian government has approved a decree granting one-time payments to nine athletes who finished in sixth place at the 25th Winter Olympic Games held in 2026. Each of these competitors will receive 150,000 hryvnias, while their coaches will be given compensation equal to 50% of the total amount awarded to the athletes.
Ukraine's national team wrapped up its Olympic campaign without winning any medals. However, Ukrainian athletes managed to break into the top ten in their respective disciplines on eight occasions. Among those set to receive these one-time payments are:
- Anhelina Brykina
- Oleksandr Okipniuk
- Dmytro Kotovskyi
These athletes competed in freestyle skiing, ski aerials, and the mixed team event. The list also includes:
- Yulianna Tunytska
- Ihor Hoi
- Nazariy Kachmar
- Andriy Mandziy
- Oleksandra Mokh
- Olena Stetskiv
These individuals represented Ukraine in the luge relay event.
Other Athletes' Performances
While the sixth-place finishers are key figures in Ukrainian sports, recognition should also go to those who placed elsewhere. For instance, Oleksandra Mokh and Olena Stetskiv secured seventh place in the women's doubles luge. In biathlon, the Ukrainian team delivered commendable results, finishing eighth in the mixed relay with Dmytro Pidruchnyi, Vitalii Mandzyn, Olena Horodna, and Oleksandra Merkushyna. Another ninth-place finish came in the relay featuring Oleksandra Merkushyna, Yuliia Dzhima, Khrystyna Dmytrenko, and Daryna Chalyk.
It is also worth noting the athletes who placed tenth:
- Kateryna Kotsar in freestyle skiing (big air)
- Oleksandr Okipniuk in freestyle skiing (ski aerials, individual event)
- Vitalii Mandzyn in biathlon (mass start)
Notably, the mixed team luge relay achieved a historic result for Ukraine, marking the country's best-ever performance in this discipline on the international stage.
The decision to compensate sixth-place finishers underscores the government's commitment to supporting Ukrainian sports, even when the team does not bring home medals.
This initiative highlights the importance of acknowledging the efforts of athletes and coaches who achieve high-level results internationally. It also reinforces that participation in the Olympics and achieving strong placements, even without medals, represents a crucial step in advancing Ukraine's sporting culture.
As the Ukrainian athletes receive recognition for their impressive performances at the 2026 Winter Olympics, it’s also important to highlight the ongoing achievements of our sports community. Recently, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine announced the top athletes of the month for March and April, showcasing the talent and dedication that continues to emerge from Ukraine's sports scene.