From a dynasty of Ukrainian climbers, Jenya Kazbekova was displaced by Putin’s invasion with her family but now she is determined to reach Paris 2024
From a dynasty of Ukrainian climbers, Jenya Kazbekova was displaced by war but now she is determined to reach Paris
In 2017, Kazbekova had thus resolved to climb again in Crimea – despite her discomfort. “It felt wrong, but it’s my favourite place in the world – how could I not be there?”Jenya Kazbekova has decided she must keep competing ‘not for myself, but for my country, to provide hope for Ukrainians’ One year later, her last chance in Moscow was thwarted by a positive Covid test. “That’s how my Tokyo dream ended.”
At the same time, she couldn’t imagine herself competing, either. “I wanted to pause the whole world, but all you can do is keep going. Life goes on, which is the weirdest thing ever.” During the European championships, Kazbekova fell ill and spent a night in hospital. Disoriented, she forgot her vest and competed in an unofficial Ukraine T-shirt. She was penalised but still reached the finals, demonstrating resilience – and Olympic potential. She finished fourth in the 2023 European Olympic qualifier, won two international bouldering events – tearing up as the Ukrainian anthem played – and placed second in a speed-endurance competition .
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