SPORTS

Mark Kondratiuk

Figure Skater

When the opening notes of Hava Nagila echoed through an international figure-skating arena, it was not a mistake—and it definitely wasn’t subtle. Mark Kondratiuk, a Russian figure skater and European champion, drew global attention in 2025 by performing a competitive program set to the iconic Jewish song, explicitly framing the choice as a statement against antisemitism. At a moment when Jewish symbols were being erased or contested in many public spaces, Kondratiuk’s decision to skate—confidently and joyfully—to one of the most recognizable pieces of Jewish music landed as both unexpected and unmistakable. Widely covered in Jewish and international media, the performance resonated far beyond the rink, demonstrating how cultural expression in sports can cut through politics and speak directly to identity, solidarity, and pride.