‘I loved the feeling of flying through the air’

Olympic finalist Elena Kulichenko made Cyprus proud last week with her participation in the Paris games. ‘It was madness,’ she says

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been a stage for many extraordinary moments, and for Cyprus, one event that stole the spotlight was Elena Kulichenko’s journey to the high jump final. As the first Cypriot female athlete to reach an Olympic track and field final, Kulichenko’s story is not just one of athletic achievement but of personal triumph, and a deep connection to her adopted homeland. After a stunning performance in the high jump final, where she finished seventh with a jump of 1.95 meters, she is clearly living her dream.

“I’m very, very proud and honoured,” Kulichenko said. “It’s been an amazing journey, and I thank Cyprus and my Cypriot supporters so much. Competing in the Olympics has been my dream since I was seven years old. If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be an Olympic finalist, I’d have thought it was madness!”

Born in Russia, she moved to Cyprus after her father gained Cypriot citizenship in 2019 but it wasn’t until June 2021 she became eligible to compete for the island.

“I was the fastest in my elementary school,” she recalled with a smile.“So I decided to do athletics. I started trying different events, and I liked the high jump the most. I just had so much fun with it, and still do!”

But despite her obvious talent, there was a time when she almost gave up.“There was a point when I wanted to quit,” she admitted.“But two things saved me – competing for Cyprus and going to the University of Georgia. Both gave me new perspectives on sport. I started enjoying it again, and that’s why I’m here today.”

Her move to the University of Georgia in the United States marked a turning point. It wasn’t just about training in a different environment; it was about rediscovering her love for the sport. “Going to Georgia was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. “It made me see things differently, not just in athletics but in life. I learned to appreciate the process, the work, the sacrifices. And most importantly, I started having fun again.”

Fun is a word that comes up often when she talks about high jump. Watching her clear those bars, there is an unmistakable sense of joy in her performance – a reminder that, at its core, sport is about passion. “I loved the feeling of flying through the air,” she said. “There’s nothing else like it. That moment when you’re suspended in the air, it feels like freedom.”

That love for flying has carried Elena through the challenges and pressures of international competition. In Paris, with the world watching, she remained focused, executing each jump with precision. Clearing 1.83m on her first attempt and 1.88m on her second, she approached the crucial 1.92m with determination. “I knew that jump would be the difference,” she said. “I had to make it count, and when I cleared it on my first try, I felt a huge sense of relief. I knew I was in the final.”

Yet, despite the glory of making it to the final, the 22-year-old is the first to admit she still has room to grow. “I know it wasn’t perfect,” she said. “I attempted 1.95 meters but didn’t clear it. There’s always more to achieve, always room to improve. That’s what keeps me going – the desire to be better every day.”

Looking ahead, Elena’s goals are clear. “After Paris, I just want to keep pushing myself,” she said. “Achieve higher results, win more titles, and hopefully, bring back medals for Cyprus.” Her determination is unwavering, but so too is her sense of gratitude. “I owe so much to my family, my coaches, and the people of Cyprus. They believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Describing herself as kind, Kulichenko said she is keen for people to see her beyonf being just a competitor. “I hope that people can see the real me, not just the athlete on the field.

“I’m just so happy to be here,” she said with a smile after the final. “And I’m ready to keep making Cyprus proud.”