Renowned Ukrainian fencer Olena Kravatska has announced that she will not participate in the 2025 World Championship due to her mother's severe illness.

The Olympic champion of Paris in the team competition shared the news on her Instagram page.

"I am currently going through a difficult time in my life. My mother is fading. Slowly. Painfully. It’s cancer. This is already the third relapse. She now requires care like a child – around the clock, with all the tenderness and love. I see her diminishing. Physically and emotionally.

At the same time, I should be preparing for the world championship. This decision – not to go – has been one of the hardest. Fencing is not just a sport for me. It's part of my being. My air. My "self". Saying "no" at this moment was incredibly difficult. But I did.

Despite everything, I am happy. Despite the fatigue, I love. Despite the pain, I exist. And that is already a lot. If you are going through something similar right now – I am with you. You are not alone. You will endure. And you are already heroes", – Kravatska stated.

The 2025 World Championship will take place from July 22 to 26 in Tbilisi. Earlier, a number of "neutral" athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to participate in the tournament.

fencing, Olena Kravatska