Exclusive commentary by Ukrainian parabiathlete Oksana Shyshkova for Suspilne Sport following her performances at the 2026 Paralympics.
Shishkova took part in the 20 km cross-country skiing race, which closed the program of the 2026 Paralympic Games in this sport. In the class of athletes with visual impairment, the Ukrainian took sixth place.
In an exclusive commentary for Suspilne Sport, Shyshkova summed up the results of the 2026 Paralympic Games, which the Ukrainian athlete finished without any awards. The 34-year-old athlete's best results are two sixth places, which she took in the biathlon sprint and the 20 km race in para skiing.
Despite the lack of medals at Milan-Cortina 2026, Shishkova said she expects recognition for the awards she won for the country at the 2022 Games.
“Unfortunately, this Paralympics did not bring medals to Ukraine for me, but I did everything I could. And yes, this is a difficult Paralympics for me, but I want them to remember the moments we brought in 2022 and still celebrate us not only in words. We also want the state to support us and remember that we are doing everything so that Ukraine, our flags always fly high and only the best is always said about us.”
The 2022 Paralympic Games were accompanied by a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, Ukrainian athletes took part in the competitions, where Shishkova, in particular, won five medals, three of which were gold.
“I really want Ukraine and the state to support us. I want them to remember our victories in 2022, when we won them at such a difficult moment for us. I know that it was martial law and that our medals were a little forgotten. I want [the president of Ukraine] to remember and award us with orders, because we won a lot of medals for our country.”
“The weather is not wintery — it's more springy. But I really wanted to go out and show [a high result], because it was my first 20 km race, and before that [they were] 15 km. I wanted to give it my all and I did it. The skis were made [well], I enjoyed it, they worked from start to finish.”
Shishkova could not answer in the affirmative whether she will continue her career after the end of the 2026 Paralympics. According to the athlete, she would like to experience the joy of motherhood and if she manages to combine it with sports, then Shishkova will continue her professional career.
“Unfortunately, I can't say right now, but you understand: I don't have children yet, I need to think about it somehow. I want to start a family, give birth so that there are even more real Ukrainians in our country. And that's why I can't answer this question right now. But I really love what I do – biathlon and ski racing. I won't say that this is work for me – it's what I love, what I do. And I go out every day and enjoy it.”