Ukrainian Racewalker First to Break 20-Minute Indoor 5K

Liudmyla Olianovska crossed a finish line no one had reached before, clocking 19 minutes and 53 seconds in the indoor 5,000-meter racewalk at the Ukrainian Athletics Championships in Kyiv on February 27.

The performance demolished the previous world record held by Italian athlete Eleonora Giorgi since 2014. Eight seconds might not sound like much, but in elite racewalking, it's an eternity.

Olianovska's achievement marks a remarkable moment for Ukrainian athletics. She becomes the second active Ukrainian track and field athlete holding a global record, joining high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who set the current 2.10-meter world record in 2024.

Mahuchikh continues to dominate her own event. Just weeks earlier on February 8, she won gold at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany, clearing 2.01 meters and attempting 2.04 meters after securing victory.

Why This Inspires

Ukraine's athletes are proving that excellence doesn't pause, even during the most challenging times. Olianovska trained and competed in Kyiv, her home city, pushing human limits while her country faces extraordinary circumstances.

Her record joins a growing list of Ukrainian athletic achievements this year. Tennis player Elina Svitolina recently returned to the global top 10 for the first time in five years, showing the depth of talent emerging from the country.

Breaking the 20-minute barrier represents more than just speed. It's about discipline, years of training, and the determination to keep pursuing greatness no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

Olianovska's historic walk proves that records are made to be broken, especially by those who refuse to stop moving forward.