Belarusian Jumper Maria Zhodik: Started In Poland With McDonald's

Now the track and field athlete plays for the Polish national team and has already brought a medal from the World Championships.

Belarusian high jumper Maria Zhodik, who now competes for Poland and has already won silver at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, told the TVP TV channel where she worked for the first time after moving and how she is experiencing emigration.

Maria Zhodik was born in Baranovichi. She was granted Polish citizenship in March 2024 and has been competing under the white and red flag since June. Her grandparents were Polish, which gave the athlete the right to a Polish passport.

Zhodik noted that she already feels like she belongs in Poland.

The athlete said that the first time in emigration it was difficult with finances and the Polish language, and she went to work for the McDonald's fast food restaurant chain.

- I thought I should find a job. But it was difficult without knowing Polish. I went to McDonald's. I stood by the fries and said to myself: "What am I doing here? I want to jump high." I go to the manager and I say, "I'm quitting my job." She says, "All right, in two weeks." I said, 'No, now,'" Maria recalls.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]