16-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Taisia Onofriychuk not only secured a brilliant victory at the World Cup stage in Baku but also impressed everyone with her principled stance.

In the finals of the hoop event, she claimed gold, surpassing former Russian athlete Vera Tugolukova, who now represents Cyprus, and Belarusian Salos Anastasiya, who competed under a neutral flag.

After the award ceremony, athletes typically take a group photo on the podium. However, Onofriychuk refused to stand next to her competitors – a clear message that was backed by thousands of Ukrainians on social media. Even the mascots present were left in shock by this turn of events.

This gesture from Taisia is not a coincidence but a continuation of a growing trend among Ukrainian athletes.