3 hours ago
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Controversial athlete Elena Kulichenko has booked her place in the final of the World Athletics Championships' high jump event in Japan.
Kulichenko - who was born in Russia, based in the US but represents Cyprus on the international stage - cleared the bar at 1.88 meters to book her place in the final.
The 23-year-old will join 15 other high jumpers for the event on Sunday as she looks to win her first World Athletics Championships medal.
It's been a unique journey for Kulichenko up until now, having been born in Russia and competed there at youth level before later moving to the United States.
She accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Georgia - and represented the Georgia Bulldogs - before making an even bigger life change just a few years later.
In 2020, Kulichenko gained Crypiot citizenship, after the International Olympic Committee banned Russian athletes, and began competing for them in 2023.
Elena Kulichenko has reached the final of the World Athletics Championships' high jump event
Kulichenko was born in Russia, based in the US but represents Cyprus in high jump
She was able to do so because her father conducts business and owns property in Cyprus, which made her eligible through an investment program ran in the country.
While Kulichenko underwent the citizenship switch in order to achieve her dreams of competing at the Olympics, it was met by plenty of backlash.
In an interview with Time magazine, she said: 'I got hundreds of messages on Instagram calling me a traitor. I was upset and shocked at first but the important thing is that everyone who really knows me supported me'.
In another interview, she explained: 'Right now I'm just really grateful for Cyprus, that they've been able to support me and then gave me this opportunity to go in general.
'I'm not even trying to think 'what if.' You just have to be grateful for the moment.'
She also reflected on the challenges that have presented themselves for Russian-born athletes amid a number of bans by the IOC in recent years.
'I know how hard it is for athletes there,' she said. 'There are people who have, like, world-leading marks and they just can't go (to the Olympics).'
Last year, she was embroiled in further controversy after an unverified report allegedly revealed the existence of an OnlyFans account attributed to Kulichenko.
Kulichenko boasts an impressive following on social media - with over 85,000 followers
During her time in Georgia, she has been named SEC Freshman of the Year, three-time indoor and outdoor NCAA First Team All-American and 2024 NCAA high jump national champion
The claims quickly went viral on social media before her team vehemently shut them down, denied that the videos were of her and insisted it was the work of AI.
Fast forward a few years and she now holds the Cyprus record in the high jump with a mark of 1.93 meters, achieved on March 30, 2024.
She also placed seventh at the 2024 Olympic Games - after clearing 1.95 meters - and was given the honor of being Cyprus' flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, during her time in Georgia, she was named SEC Freshman of the Year, three-time indoor and outdoor NCAA First Team All-American and 2024 NCAA high jump national champion.
Away from the track, Kulichenko boasts an impressive following on social media - with over 85,000 followers on her Instagram page.
The 23-year-old often keeps fans updated with regular posts surrounding her high jump endeavors or her travels across the globe while she competes.
