Ukraine's Synchronized Swimmers Claim World Cup Gold in Paris, Ending Year-Long Victory Drought

Ukraine Secures Gold at World Aquatics Synchronized Swimming World Cup

According to НОК: Ukraine's national synchronized swimming team has won a gold medal at the second stage of the World Cup, held in Paris. The competition took place in the historic Georges Vallerey pool, a venue that hosted the 1924 Olympic Games. The Ukrainian squad delivered a masterful performance, earning the top prize in the acrobatic team event with a score of 212.4735 points, marking a significant achievement for the national program.

Team Achievement and Roster

The routine performed by the Ukrainian team was making its international debut and received the second-highest difficulty rating. The champions posted an excellent result, finishing ahead of Italy, which scored 200.6714 points, and Israel, with 194.6005 points. This gold medal is Ukraine's first at the World Cup level in over a year; the team last stood atop the podium in April 2025 at a World Cup stage in Egypt. This victory is particularly meaningful given the immense challenges Ukrainian athletes have faced in training and competing internationally in recent years.

The gold-medal-winning team consisted of:

• Mariia Hrynishyna
• Uliana Hrynishyna
• Vladyslava Kocherbu
• Yelyzaveta Lymar
• Daria Moshynska
• Amelia Volynska
• Mariia Zachepa
• Mariia Zdorovtsova

The next stage of the World Cup is scheduled for May 1-3 in Xi'an, China, where the Ukrainian athletes will continue their campaign for medals.

This win holds great significance for the Ukrainian team, signaling a recovery and growth in the country's synchronized swimming standards. The World Cup gold underscores the athletes' success in achieving high-level international results despite formidable obstacles. The upcoming competition in China will provide another opportunity for the Ukrainian swimmers to showcase their skills and contend for further honors.

This remarkable victory not only highlights the resilience of Ukrainian synchronized swimmers but also comes amid contrasting performances in other international competitions. For instance, while the team celebrates their triumph in Paris, the absence of medals at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics raises questions about the overall trajectory of Ukrainian athletes on the global stage.