The Inspiring Journey of Yana Stepanenko at the Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is one of the most awaited events for marathon enthusiasts. The event is one of the most important of the racing season, with several athletes participating from all over the world. This year, along with the usual athletes, there was one special participant who wanted to send a clear message to everyone, including the Russians and Putin. This is Yana Stepanenko, a twelve-year-old Ukrainian who lost both legs due to a Russian bombing two years ago. After undergoing rehabilitation with her mother, Yana started walking again, but most importantly, running with carbon prostheses that allowed her to cross the finish line in Boston. The act was not only a personal challenge but also an effort to raise the necessary funds to pay for a sports prosthesis for Oleksandr Ryasnyi, a severely injured Ukrainian defender. The mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovyi described Yana's strength to The New Voice of Ukraine. The mayor witnessed the young girl's race in 2023 when she participated in the Lviv half marathon: "Nothing is impossible. The indestructible Yana Stepanenko ran her first Boston Marathon. These 5 kilometers have once again proven that you should never give up."