“My father who is at the frontlines sent me this song a couple of months before. I love competing with this program because it comes from the heart.” Ukrainian Kyrylo Marsak on programs and competing for the Olympic spot
Kyrylo Marsak: Fighting for Ukraine’s Spot at the 2026 Winter Olympics
original source: Suspilne dd. September 19th by Katerina Makarievska
Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak, the national team leader, is preparing for his second and final chance to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. After a challenging season influenced by personal and national struggles, he reflects on his growth, the inspiration behind his programs, and the resilience needed to pursue his Olympic dreams. Here’s a translation of his comments made in an interview with Suspilne.
The 21-year-old skater from Kherson will vie for Ukraine’s singular spot in the men’s discipline at the qualification tournament in Beijing, taking place from September 19 to 21.
“I’m trying to approach competitions like training,” Marsak shared with Suspilne Sport before the Beijing event. “We treat it like ‘practicing’ the program, thinking about how we can do better than last week. With this mindset, it helps reduce the tension a bit. Of course, there are expectations and ambitions, but I’ll think about those afterward. Right now, I need to concentrate on this competition, on myself, on my performances – and everything will be fine.”
Marsak earned this final chance through a stellar performance at the Lombardia Trophy in Bergamo, Italy, earlier this season. In what he called a “mini World Championship” – with five top-ten competitors from the 2025 Worlds, including reigning champion Ilia Malinin – Marsak placed in the top 10, setting personal records in all segments: 75.35 points in the short program, 147.85 in the free skate, and a combined total of 223.2. He outscored fellow Ukrainian Ivan Shmuratko, a Beijing 2022 Olympian, by nearly 40 points, securing his spot at the qualification event in Beijing.
Despite showing promise, Marsak faced mental and physical hurdles not just as an athlete but as an individual deeply impacted by war. His father, Andrii, serves on the frontline of Ukraine’s defense, and the two last saw each other in April 2023. Reflecting on this, Marsak explained:
“My father is at the frontlines. And everything happening overall affects me. It’s hard to process, hard to live through – it’s like a snowball effect. Small problems, even minor ones that seem insignificant, pile up until it feels like the end of the world. At one point, I felt like I just couldn’t handle it anymore. But I sought therapy, received professional help, and things have significantly improved.”
This deep bond with his father inspired his new short program, set to “Fall On Me” by Andrea and Matteo Bocelli.
“My father sent me this song a couple of months before,” Marsak revealed. “Then my coach suggested it, and I immediately loved it. Given that it’s sung by a father and son, my choreographer [Yekaterina Ivlyeva-Guarise] proposed dedicating the program to him.”
The sentiment behind the music makes this program especially meaningful to him. “I love competing with this program because it comes from the heart. [At Lombardia Trophy], I was nervous but could still feel a connection with my father. I felt warmth. There is even a line in the song: ‘I close my eyes, and I’m seeing you everywhere.’ My father had the chance to watch my performance, and afterward, he sent me warm and kind words.”
In addition to personal struggles, Marsak endured the devastating loss of his childhood rink in Kherson, which was destroyed in a Russian attack. This symbolic tragedy further deepened his resolve to continue skating as a tribute to Ukraine and his roots.
Marsak also developed a new free skate program after being unable to acquire the required rights to music from the musical The Phantom of the Opera, which he had originally planned to keep from last season. Instead, his team selected Labrinth and Zendaya’s “I’m Tired” and “The Feels” – songs from the hit TV series Euphoria.
The program carries subtle references to Ukraine’s ongoing struggles, though Marsak notes the emotions resonate universally:
“It’s a more personal story,” he explained. “The words ‘I’m tired’ resonate with all Ukrainians. So much bad news, so many traumatic events – it all piles up until you feel completely drained. But the second song, ‘The Feels,’ is about continuing to move forward even when you feel exhausted. It’s about finding strength and joy in what you do. For me, this translates to my feelings on the ice.”
Adding a unique visual element, Marsak’s costume features an eye with a tear – a nod to Euphoria’s promotional imagery and a design created by Marsak’s mother.
His belief is that each viewer will see something personal in his programs, even without knowledge of his backstory or the connection to the war. “I try to share the backstory in every interview. Those who understand, understand. And for those who don’t, they simply see beautiful programs.”
Bravo Kyrylo! And just forward!!