Alina Smutko
documentary photographer
The Tokyo Olympics have become the most unusual in recent sports history. Not only because of the many limitations by the pandemic, but also because of the discussions it has caused. World-famous athletes and national heroes of the world's most powerful countries have begun to admit that they are just human, and they are tired. Tired of pressure, of guilt after loss, of carrying the burden of national pride and secret expectations of the fans.
An American gymnast, a four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles refused to perform in the team finals, putting her mental health above the medals. And she was supported. By both athletes and spectators.
Ukrainian athletes brought 19 medals from Tokyo, which people called a big success for the national team. Among them -- one gold medal, which no one had hoped for. However, there were also a few golds which Ukrainians didn't win. In this project, Ukrainian athletes share why professional sports, especially during these Games, have become a serious psychological test and how the national love and overexpectations can break you.
Zhan Beleniuk
Greco-Roman wrestling
Gold
It was really hard to be seriously injured three weeks before the Olympics. The most difficult thing is to be absolutely in limbo! I tried not to tell anyone about what happened, so it was difficult to hear talks like: "Well, champion, we believe in you, you need to take your gold!", and at the same time I was lying in bed, with ice on my injured shoulder. Moreover, I needed this medal like air, and there were no excuses for a failure due to injury. I’d had been torn to the little pieces in the media, I understood what people would say: the deputy that got into the sport, was driven by pull, and didn’t give another athlete the opportunity to prove himself. And only my coach's faith allowed me to make my dream come true.