Ukrainian Skater Marsak Channels Family's War Journey into Olympic Performance
Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak faced profound exhaustion last summer as he prepared for the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Drained, anxious, and frequently sleepless, the 21-year-old could not escape thoughts of his family back in Ukraine, where his father serves on the front lines, his mother remains in Kyiv, and his grandparents evade drone attacks in their hometown of Kherson. Despite these heavy burdens, Marsak pushed forward to train for his Olympic debut.
Marsak relocated to Finland for safety shortly after the war began, yet the conflict's impact stretches far beyond borders. "It is really affecting the way we live, the way we think, the way we practice as well," he revealed to The Associated Press in Milan. To cope, he has turned to therapy and medication, channeling his emotions into his men's singles figure skating program as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion nears.
Skating to a Song of Family Bonds
When Marsak competes in the short program as Ukraine's lone figure skater, he will perform to "Fall On Me" by crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo. Marsak and his father, Andriy, see their own relationship mirrored in this song of familial unity. The skater last saw his father during the Ukrainian nationals in April, when Andriy secured military leave to watch his son win a third title before returning to duty. "Even though we cannot see each other, we are still together, we still feel this connection between us," Marsak said.
After the short program, the top 24 of 29 skaters will advance to Friday's free skate event. Marsak faces stiff competition from favorites like American "Quad God" Ilia Malinin, whose stunning free skate secured team gold, and Japanese sensation Shun Sato. If Marsak progresses, he will wear a costume designed by his mother, who traveled from Kyiv to Milan to support him.
Expressing Emotion Through Skating
His free skate program is set to a mix of "I'm Tired" and "The Feels" by Labrinth and Zendaya, representing his skating journey amid a war that has devastated much of Ukraine, including the Kherson ice rink where he learned to skate. "Thanks to skating, I'm still living," Marsak explained. "It's the place where I feel alive and where I can show all of my emotions."
Broader Impact on Ukrainian Sport
The Russia-Ukraine War has severely impacted Ukrainian athletics, with athletes displaced or conscripted, soccer matches interrupted by air raid sirens, and attendance limited by bomb shelter capacity. Elite skaters, skiers, and biathletes often train abroad due to attacks and blackouts closing local facilities. In northern Ukraine, young cross-country skiers practice in a bombed-out complex with regular sirens.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine has sent 46 athletes to Milan Cortina, including Marsak, six cross-country skiers, and 10 biathletes. Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine's minister of youth and sports, stated that these athletes aim to convey a powerful message: "We have the opportunity to raise our flag to show that Ukraine is resilient, Ukraine is still in power. We have a will to win and we continue to be one of the most successful sport teams in the world because success in sports always was a part of the Ukrainian national brand."
Ukrainian-Born Athlete Competes for the U.S.
In a related development, Ukrainian-born ice dancer Vadym Kolesnik competed for the United States on Monday after obtaining American citizenship last summer. Kolesnik's family has endured the war, with his brother enlisting and his father's business destroyed. A successful GoFundMe campaign allowed him to reunite with two family members from Ukraine in Milan after four years apart. Kolesnik and his partner, Emilea Zingas, placed sixth in the rhythm dance and will compete in the free dance on Wednesday.
