How Ukrainian Athlete Illia Kovtun Captured Hearts at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Illia Kovtun, hailing from Cherkasy, is a Ukrainian gymnast that has fast become an international sweetheart following his performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Ukrainian athlete has clinched both silver and bronze at the World Championships in the all-around competition. At the European level, he has secured gold on the parallel bars, as well as multiple silver and bronze medals in various events.

Illia says that he finds his inspiration in fellow Ukrainian gymnasts Oleg Verniaiev and Igor Radivilov. He cites his coaches, Iryna Nadiuk, and his parents as his most influential figures. Kovtun’s motto is “Enjoy the moment, here and now.”

Kovtun emerged onto the international scene at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Despite the team’s seventh-place finish, Kovtun individually qualified for the all-around final, finishing in 11th position.

His Olympic performance was followed by a string of successes, including World Challenge Cup victories and a remarkable bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships in the all-around competition.

This achievement solidified Kovtun’s status as a rising star in the world of gymnastics and earned him the prestigious title of Merited Master of Sports of Ukraine.

In early 2022. just as Illia was finding his footing on the international stage, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Just at the time when Illia was about to perform at the Doha World Cup, where he secured gold on parallel bars and bronze on horizontal bar.

A defining moment came during the parallel bars medal ceremony when Kovtun found himself on the podium with Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who displayed the symbol “Z” on his jersey, supporting the Russian invasion to Ukraine. Kovtun’s stoic composure in the face of such provocation transformed him into an emblem of Ukrainian resistance, garnering global admiration and respect.

“It was not easy to compete with the Russians,” Kovtun said in an interview after the competition. “Unfortunately, the Russian guy Ivan showed something completely different — not the ability to compete with dignity and sportsmanship.”

Due to the ongoing war, Kovtun and his teammates were unable to return to Ukraine. They sought refuge and continued their training at various gymnastics clubs across Europe, preparing for future competitions.

Ukraine’s Olympic team, significantly reduced due to the ongoing Russian invasion, headed to Paris with a sense of duty. With approximately 140 athletes, the smallest contingent in the nation’s history, each competitor carries the weight of representing their country on the world stage.

Kovtun encapsulates this sentiment, stating that “We will fight until the end. And now we are fighting in our country until the end. And for all our boys (soldiers). And we try very hard to support them,” he said, inspired by the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers.

At the Olympics 2024 in Paris, Kovtun had qualified in 11th place for Wednesday’s all-around final, but after completing five of the six apparatus, Kovtun found himself in a strong position to win a medal. He delivered a powerful floor exercise routine, scoring a remarkable 14.700—the second-highest of the day. However, China’s Xiao Ruoteng executed a flawless horizontal bar routine, narrowly edging out Kovtun for the bronze medal by a margin of 0.199 points, denying Ukraine a medal in Paris.

“Today went well and I made everything possible to have the highest (scores), but the difference was very short,” Kovtun commented.

Illia Kovtun has skyrocketed to internet stardom, blowing up on X and TikTok and amassing a legion of fans smitten by his incredible athletic talent and undeniable charm. His patriotic tattoos, a testament to his unwavering love for Ukraine, have only fueled the admiration, making him a standout sensation. Memes and TikToks celebrating his achievements and personality have gone viral, further amplifying his popularity.

Kovtun will compete in individual finals this Saturday, August 3, where he will showcase his skills on the floor exercise.