- Category
- Latest news
Kateryna Kotsar Makes Olympic History as First Ukrainian Woman in Big Air Final
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar became the first Ukrainian woman to compete in an Olympic big air final, ultimately finishing in 10th place, according to Suspilne Sport on February 16.
Twelve athletes were scheduled to participate in the final. According to the outlet, two Swiss competitors sustained injuries in falls prior to the start of the event and were unable to continue in the decisive round.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Kotsar was the first to compete in the final. She received 82 points for her opening jump and 72 points for her second attempt, placing sixth after each of the first two rounds. During her third jump, she made an error and landed on her back, earning 74 points.
Based on the combined score of her first and third jumps, Kotsar concluded the competition in 10th place with a total of 156 points.
On February 14, Kotsar advanced from the qualification round in 11th place, securing her place in the Olympic big air final and marking the first such appearance by a Ukrainian athlete in this discipline.
Megan Oldham of Canada claimed victory in the big air final with 180.75 points, followed by China’s Eileen Gu with 179 points, while Italy’s Flora Tabanelli secured third place with 178.25 points.
At the same time, the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has rejected an appeal by Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych seeking reinstatement to the men’s competition.
Heraskevych had been withdrawn from the event after indicating he planned to compete wearing a helmet featuring portraits of athletes killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In a statement, CAS said he contested a decision by a jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, which removed him from the competition following a February 10 ruling by the International Olympic Committee that the helmet breached the Olympic Charter and the IOC’s Athlete Expression Guidelines. According to CAS, that IOC ruling was not challenged in the proceedings and “remains in force.”
CAS stated that the sole arbitrator concluded the guidelines establish a “reasonable balance” between athletes’ freedom of expression and the interest of competitors in receiving “undivided attention” during events. The panel further noted that while freedom of speech is recognized at the Olympic Games, it may be restricted “on the field of play.”
Earlier, it was reported that as debate continues over the IOC’s decision to bar Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, the pro-Ukrainian platform Saint Javelin has questioned what it sees as double standards in how the International Olympic Committee treats Russian and Ukrainian competitors.
In a recent post, Saint Javelin pointed out that in earlier seasons Russian lugers Pavel Repilov and Daria Olesik competed with the logo of Energon LLC displayed on their gear. The company has been placed under sanctions and is reportedly linked to the production of drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
-29ed98e0f248ee005bb84bfbf7f30adf.jpg)
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
