German Gymnastics Team Gains Ukrainian European Champion as New Athlete

Radomyr Stelmakh Transfers to Represent Germany

According to Главком: Radomyr Stelmakh, a former Ukrainian gymnast, has been granted permission to compete for Germany in international events. The Ukrainian authorities have officially approved his switch, allowing the athlete to start performing for his new team until March 2027. Born in Ukraine, Stelmakh is already vying for a spot on the German squad for the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, scheduled from August 19 to 23, 2025. The German Gymnastics Federation is counting on his support as they prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Stelmakh's Path in Germany

Stelmakh, who became a European champion in 2024 as part of Ukraine's team in the all-around event, moved to Germany in 2022 following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The 20-year-old gymnast now calls Cottbus home, where he trains at the local facility and competes for the Cottbus club in the German Bundesliga. He received German citizenship in February 2025 and has been regularly training with the national team since January 2025.

Germany's head coach, Jens Milbradt, shared his enthusiasm about Stelmakh's transfer:

“We are very happy for Radomyr-both as a wonderful person and a talented athlete-that his dream of competing for Germany has finally come true. I wish him all the best and great success. We hope he will strengthen our team on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games.” - Jens Milbradt

Stelmakh's last appearance for Ukraine was at the 2024 Olympic Games. Notably, in 2025, another Ukrainian gymnast, Illia Kovtun, along with his coach Iryna Gorbacheva, switched their sporting nationality to Croatian. Milbradt also emphasized that the team expects Stelmakh to make a significant contribution to their preparations for upcoming international competitions.

This move marks a pivotal step in Stelmakh's career, enabling him to compete on the global stage while representing a new nation at prestigious events. It also highlights a growing trend of Ukrainian athletes changing their sporting nationality, driven by the challenging conditions in Ukraine. Importantly, Stelmakh's new status opens up fresh opportunities for his athletic growth and bolsters the German team as they gear up for future Olympic challenges.

As the German Gymnastics Federation looks to enhance its roster ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, the recent changes in national affiliations among athletes have garnered attention. In a similar vein, the German Football Association is currently facing challenges following their World Cup exit, prompting significant decisions regarding their coaching staff. For more insights on the evolving dynamics within German sports, you can read about the recent developments with the football team's management.