Alina Shukh is an Heptathlete who is passionate about finance and economy. "sport is my job, finance is my passion, but I want to make the latter a job as well".

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, the Centre de Ressources, d'Expertise et de Performance Sportive (CREPS) of Wattignies, France, started to host top level Athletes who had to run away from war in Ukraine. Alina Shukh is one of these athletes.

The sports centre offers individual rooms for the refugees "as long as they need them".

Alina is recovering from an injury that prevented her from qualifying to the Olympics of Tokyo 2020. Therefore she needs extra preparation before every training session she does.

Alina generally starts her day with a light training session at 6:30. "My friends are still sleeping but I don't mind. I like spending the first hours of my day alone, often with music."

Alina Shukh during a session of javelin.

Workouts often end with some gymnastic movements and stretching.

Alina Shukh, stretching with her mother Maria, who is also her main coach

When she is not training, Alina spends a lot of time in her room, where she writes blog articles about financial advising, works on a new company project, read the news, and learn French on the application Duolingo.

Alina Shukh, showing the armband she used when helping the territorial defence in Ukraine. The writing on it says Russian warship, go f... yourself.

Alina Shukh and her mother celebrate Easter in their room at the CREPS of Wattignies. In the Orthodox Church, Easter is observed one week later than in Western Christianity.

Alina receives a blessing from her mother, who makes a sign of the cross on her with an egg during Easter celebration.

Alina often trains three times a day, the third session taking place in late afternoon.

Alina, during a hurdle training with French pole vaulters in the background. "I haven't had the occasion to socialise with any of the few people staying at the centre with us. The turnover is too fast and people don't stay very long here."

After each session, Alina cools down in a pool of cold water.

There is usually no training on Sunday afternoon. Alina and her friends generally use their spare time to go to a fast food restaurant and a supermarket in Wattignies. "Why there? Because these are the only open venues on Sunday."

Maria and Alina Shukh, in fast food restaurant of Wattignies.

Alina Shukh, CREPS des Hauts-de-France, April 2022.

The life of Alina Shukh, a 23-year-old professional heptathlete from Ukraine and a war refugee in France.

training camp FFA

paralympic isolation