---
title: "Two Hryvnias Changed Sports History: Yuliya Levchenko Recalls a Pivotal Career Moment"
description: "Ukrainian high jumper Yuliya Levchenko recounted how a stranger gave her 2 hryvnias for the metro in 2014, helping her reach a qualifier and eventually win the Youth Olympic Games."
date: 2026-10-14T09:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/two-hryvnias-changed-sports-history-yuliya-levchenko
tags: [yuliya-levchenko, athletics, olympic-games, sports-story]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Two Hryvnias Changed Sports History: Yuliya Levchenko Recalls a Pivotal Career Moment

![Yuliya Levchenko at an athletics event](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/14/dve-grivny-izmenili-istoriyu-sporta-yuliya-levchenko/dve-grivny-izmenili-istoriyu-sporta-yuliya-levchenko-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- In 2014, Yuliya Levchenko lost her money before a crucial selection event.
- A random passerby helped the athlete by giving her 2 hryvnias for the metro.
- The help allowed the athlete to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.
- At the 2014 Olympics, Levchenko won gold by clearing 1.89 meters.

Ukrainian high jumper Yuliya Levchenko, renowned for her achievements, has shared a touching memory that could have radically altered her sporting destiny. The event, which took place in 2014, serves as an illustration of how seemingly insignificant actions by ordinary people can influence the path of future Olympic prospects.

### The Price of Success: An Incident in the Kyiv Metro

Ahead of the qualifying selection for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, 16-year-old Yuliya was rushing to the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv. On the way, she was horrified to discover that she had lost her wallet along with her student ID, which entitled her to free public transport. In a race against time, with only minutes left before the competition began, the athlete found herself in a critical situation.

Overcoming her inner embarrassment, Levchenko decided to approach a female stranger to ask for two hryvnias for the fare. The stranger not only provided the money but also supported the girl with warm wishes for good luck. This crucial support allowed Yuliya to reach the stadium on time and successfully pass the qualifying round.

### Historical Triumph in Nanjing

Successfully passing the qualification opened the path for Yuliya to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. There, the young athlete demonstrated an outstanding performance, clearing 1.89 meters to win the gold medal. This triumph became the starting point of her brilliant international career.

### The Significance of Random Kindness

Levchenko admits that she still fondly remembers the woman, who had no idea that her modest contribution helped a future champion reach the global stage. This story serves as a reminder to the athlete of the importance of empathy in everyday life. "You never know how big a 'small' good deed can become," emphasized the athlete, hoping that the heroine of her story might one day recognize herself.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [2 гривны изменили историю легкой атлетики: Юлия Левченко рассказала щемящую историю из прошлого](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/2-grivni-zminili-istoriyu-legkoyi-atletiki-1791964095.html) - Статья подтверждает историю Юлии Левченко о потере кошелька и помощи незнакомки в 2014 году.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: When did the incident told by Yuliya Levchenko take place?
**A:** The event happened in 2014 on the eve of the selection for the Youth Olympic Games.

### Q: How much money did the athlete ask the passerby for?
**A:** Yuliya asked for 2 hryvnias to pay for the metro fare.