Ukrainian Gymnastics Star Illia Kovtun to Debut for Croatia at European Championships

Illia Kovtun, a decorated Ukrainian gymnast and multiple European champion, as well as an Olympic and World Championship medalist, is set to make his debut representing Croatia. His first appearance for the Croatian national team will be at the European Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, scheduled to take place in Zagreb from August 13 to 23.

Kovtun, born in Cherkasy, Ukraine, began gymnastics at the age of four. He found a new home and training environment at the Gimnastički klub Osijek Žito in Croatia following the outbreak of war in his homeland. A year ago, he was granted Croatian citizenship. Due to the rules governing national team transfers, he had to observe a one-year "quarantine" period, which concluded on July 10, preventing him from competing in major events.

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I am very happy that my first appearance in the Croatian jersey will be at the European Championships in Zagreb. During the quarantine, I couldn't compete in major competitions, which I missed, but at the same time, it was an opportunity to heal some old injuries and prepare new exercises with which, I hope, I will justify the trust of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation.

"I am very happy that my first appearance in the Croatian jersey will be at the European Championships in Zagreb," Kovtun stated. "During the quarantine, I couldn't compete in major competitions, which I missed, but at the same time, it was an opportunity to heal some old injuries and prepare new exercises with which, I hope, I will justify the trust of the Croatian Gymnastics Federation."

Kovtun's impressive career includes eight medals from European Championships (four gold, one silver, three bronze) and two medals from World Championships (one silver, one bronze). He also secured a silver medal on the rings at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He hopes that all gymnasts competing for Croatia will perform well and that the Arena Zagreb will be filled with enthusiastic fans, especially children, who might witness elite gymnastics live for the first time.

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I hope that all gymnasts competing for Croatia will show good results at the European Championships and that the Arena Zagreb will be filled with fans who will give us a boost and enjoy top-level gymnastics. I especially hope that as many children as possible will come, who will perhaps have the opportunity to watch top gymnasts live for the first time.