Luzan Sets Sights on Olympic Quota as Top Priority for 2026 Season

Liudmyla Luzan on Season Kickoff and 2026 Ambitions

According to Главком: Ukrainian canoe sprint star and Olympic medalist Liudmyla Luzan has opened up about the start of her season and laid out her targets for 2026. She got off to a strong start at the Ukrainian Cup in Uman, winning gold in the 200m and 500m individual events, as well as in the C2 doubles race alongside Anastasiia Rybachok, who made a competitive comeback after giving birth.

Securing an Olympic quota is Luzan's primary objective this season. She explained that qualification for the Los Angeles Games will be determined by rankings, with 2026 marking the first of two critical selection phases.

“What is the main goal for the season? To fight for the Olympic license. I would like to win every competition we enter, but the license comes first.”

Liudmyla Luzan

Team Strategy and Preparation

Luzan plans to focus on Olympic events: the C1 200m and C2 500m. 'Right now, we are prioritizing the Olympic distances: the singles 200m and doubles 500m. We will now be competing for the quota, and this process will take two years, so we need to stay in the top five of the rankings,' the athlete added.

She also noted that the team may skip certain events to better prepare for key starts, especially since the number of international competitions has increased from three to five per season.

Anastasiia Rybachok delivered an impressive performance in her return to racing after having a daughter. 'Anastasiia showed a very good result, preparing in just six months after childbirth. She did a great job and earned her place back in the doubles boat,' Luzan emphasized.

Last year, Liudmyla Luzan claimed four gold medals at the World Championships in Milan, winning the C1 200m, C1 500m, C2 200m, and C2 500m. The season has only just begun, but Luzan is confident the team can achieve strong results this year.

The start of the season promises to be both busy and strategically crucial for Liudmyla Luzan and her crew. Winning an Olympic quota remains the top priority, demanding intense focus on the Olympic distances. Rybachok's successful return also boosts team morale, as her performance could be a key asset in reaching their goals.

As Luzan and her team gear up for the upcoming season, the recent achievements of the Ukrainian national team at the World Athletics Relays serve as an inspiring reminder of the potential for success on the international stage. Their record-breaking performance highlights the growing strength of Ukrainian athletes across various disciplines.