"My Cat is Also from a Shelter and He’s the Best" - Olympic and World Champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh Donates UAH 1 million to Help Animals

Yaroslava Maguchikh, Ukrainian high jumper and world, European and 2024 Olympic champion in Paris, has donated one million hryvnias from her prize money received at the 2024 Olympic Games to Ukrainian animal rights activists. This was reported by UAnimals on its Instagram page, Suspilne reports.

The athlete donated one million of her prize money to five accounts - UAnimals and four shelters. Yaroslava noted that her pet was also adopted from a shelter, so helping animals is important to her.

‘There are a lot of stray animals in Ukraine now, and shelters need support to take care of everyone,’ explained Maguchikh. ’In addition to financial and volunteer support, you can adopt animals from trusted shelters, regardless of breed. My cat is also from a shelter and is also a purebred, but he is the best cat in the world and my favourite jumper. So if you have the opportunity to save an animal, do it.’

Yaroslava added that her gold medal at the Paris Games was made possible by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and volunteers, as well as the efforts of her team. Therefore, she is going to donate part of the money to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to a psychological support fund.

‘Today I have the opportunity to thank my team, Ukrainians and defenders for my training and support on the way to Olympic gold,’ she wrote on Instagram. ’That's why I will donate part of the money that each Olympic medallist and champion will receive to the needs of the Armed Forces, to the psychological support fund, and a small part to help shelters and animals from the occupied territories.

‘Money is nothing compared to what we went through with the team. And nothing compared to how much the Armed Forces and volunteers do for us to live in an independent and free country. And if I can use them in this way, I will do it.’

Yaroslava Maguchikh, the 22-year-old Olympic champion in high jump at Paris 2024, received $175,000, equivalent to 7.2 million hryvnias, for her gold medal.