Yaroslav Maguchikh, a Ukrainian athlete, was awarded the title of Europe's best athlete on October 26, during the European Athletics Awards ceremony held in Skopje, North Macedonia. This recognition marks a significant milestone for the 23-year-old, as it is her first win after reaching the finals in both 2022 and 2023 without securing the top prize.
In the competition for this prestigious title, Maguchikh faced formidable opponents, including British athlete Keely Hodgkinson, the 2024 Olympic champion in the 800 meters and the reigning European champion. Another finalist, Dutch athlete Femke Bol, has won three medals at the Paris Olympics, including victory in the mixed 4x400 meters relay, and is the current European champion in the 400 meters hurdles.
This year, Yaroslav Maguchikh achieved remarkable success, including winning a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, becoming the European champion, and earning silver at the indoor World Championships. Additionally, she triumphed in all stages of the Diamond League in which she participated.
One of Maguchikh's most significant achievements was setting a world record in women's high jump. In July, at a Diamond League event in Paris, she became the first in history to jump 2.10 meters, surpassing the previous record held by Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova since 1987.