Bekh-Romanchuk jumping for all of Ukraine at World Championships

EUGENE, Oregon: Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk says she will be leaping for the compatriots of her war-torn homeland when she chases a medal in the women's triple jump final at the World Championships in Oregon on Monday (Jul 18).

The 26-year-old is a realistic medal prospect at Hayward Field in Eugene, where she aims to post a top-three finish three years after claiming long jump silver at the 2019 Doha World Championships.

Bekh-Romanchuk hopes that a medal can bring a sliver of joy to her compatriots as Ukraine battles Russian forces who invaded the country in February.

"I will jump for my people, for my country," Bekh-Romanchuk said.

"Because Ukrainian soldiers, women, children need support, good news. They need victories. My country needs to win (the war)."

Like many elite Ukrainian athletes, Bekh-Romanchuk has been forced to train outside her homeland since the invasion.

Bekh-Romanchuk has been based in Italy this season, leaving Ukraine in March just before the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, where she won silver in the triple jump.

That has meant an enforced separation from family including husband Mykhailo, a double Olympic swimming medallist who has been training in Germany.

Bekh-Romanchuk says she is determined to return to Ukraine once the athletics season is over.

"After season I want to come back home, I didn't see my parents in six months," she said. "I didn't see my friends. I've seen my husband only once in months.

"I stay in Italy, we have different seasons, it's not possible to see each other often, it's hard for me, I miss him."

Bekh-Romanchuk keeps track of developments in Ukraine each day, and speaks regularly to her mother via phone. She says she checks less frequently just before competition,