"There are rats in there". Maguchikh talks about the best city for love, the ideal of a Ukrainian woman, and what not to do in Paris

Paris has become a truly iconic place for the famous Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Maguchikh, as she set a world record there in the summer and won her first Olympic Games. Although the athlete did not have time to visit any museums in the French capital, she returned home really famous - in Ukraine, passers-by finally began to recognize her.

In a conversation with OBOZ.UA, the Olympic champion went through a blitz related to Paris, where she won her most high-profile victories.

- Where does Paris begin?

- With the Eiffel Tower (smiles). In fact, I will remember Paris because I set a world record there and won my first Olympic gold medal, so this city will always remain in my heart.

- There is a famous saying: "To see Paris and die!" And in your case, to see Paris and...?

- To see Paris and still visit the local museums (laughs). Because I didn't get to visit them again. But I realize that this will happen later, when I have another vacation. Then I will come and see everything.

- What is a must-do in Paris?

- Eat croissants and drink delicious coffee. But find a cafe where the croissants are really good. I am guided by the reviews of Parisians and found one such place in the center.

- What would you never do or advise against doing in Paris?

- I don't have any taboos. You can do anything in Paris, but be careful because there are rats.

- They say that Paris is a holiday that is always with you. What is a real holiday for you?

- Well, for me, the Olympics are a holiday, because I actually tuned in to them as a holiday of sport. And, in principle, it is. We jump, and people who were not interested in sports before come and buy tickets to watch the show.

- If I hadn't won the Olympics in Paris, I would have...

- I would have been very upset.

- If I had not set a world record in Paris, I would have...

- I would have continued training for the Olympics.

- If I lived in Paris, I would have been...

- A Parisian (laughs). I don't even know. I guess I would have been an athlete in the same way. I would be the same way.

- Wouldn't you like to become an artist?

- No. I already have my sport and career, so I don't want to change anything. You can only try a little for yourself.

- They say that no self-respecting Parisian woman would cross the road on the Boulevard Saint-Germain on a white zebra when the light is green, but would wait for a dense stream of cars and rush across, knowing that she is taking a risk but attracting attention. What about you?

- No, I cross the road only when the light turns green (smiles). Because it's our safety! Pedestrians must also follow the rules of the road. But in fact, now, in these difficult times, safety is when there is a peaceful sky overhead and no missiles flying. That will be security.

- What is risk for you? What risky things can you do?

- There are many things. I really want to jump with a parachute, jump off a bridge. And I think that I will do it all, but after my career is over, because I have enough of this adrenaline, enough of this, I would say, the thrill of sports, so I can try all this after.

- Walking to the Eiffel Tower?

- Why not? But so far I've only walked around it.

- It is said that when God is sad or bored, he opens a window and looks out at the boulevards of Paris. And when you are sad?

- When I'm sad, I turn on music, listen to it, and clean.

- Do you ever get bored?

- No, I don't. You just have to find yourself and develop. When I'm bored, I open a book and read or watch a video on YouTube. And you're not bored anymore.

- Paris is called the city of love. Do you agree and where is this city for you?

- I think I read that Paris is no longer such a popular city for love, it's been overtaken by one of the Hawaiian islands. But in reality, wherever you have a loving person next to you, that's the city of love.

And the city of my heart is, of course, Dnipro. Because I was born there, lived there, grew up there, and now I'm waiting to go back there thanks to our people. It's difficult.

- Paris is not a city where you change planes, but a city where you change lives? What city has changed your life?

- In fact, Paris is partly such a city, so the world record and the victory at the Olympics gave me a boost and opened up more opportunities. And many people began to recognize me. Finally, passers-by recognize me in Ukraine! I am very happy about this. That's why Paris has become such a part of popularizing sports in Ukraine (smiles).

- They say that the ideal of a Parisian is to sit at a table on the sidewalk in front of a stream of strangers. What is the ideal of a Ukrainian woman?

- Honestly, now, when there are a lot of interviews and filming, I just want to sit at home, drink coffee, and talk to my sister. And nature is the coolest and most ideal place where you can relax, enjoy nature itself and recuperate.

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