Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is considering a stunning transition from football to athletics, targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a sprinter for Ukraine.
From Pitch to Track: Chelsea’s Mudryk Pursues 2028 Olympic Dream
This potential career shift follows a doping charge that has halted his football career.
The Football Association (FA) confirmed on June 18, 2025, that Mudryk violated anti-doping rules after testing positive for meldonium, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.
The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea for €100 million in 2023, has been provisionally suspended since December 2024 and faces a potential four-year ban from football.
With his football future uncertain, Mudryk is leveraging his renowned speed—clocking 36.67 km/h during his Premier League debut—to pursue track athletics.
He has already begun training with Ukraine’s national sprint team under the guidance of former Olympians. Coaches believe his explosive acceleration could translate to success on the track with disciplined training.
However, the path to the Olympics remains challenging. Mudryk must meet World Athletics’ qualifying standards and triumph in Ukraine’s national trials in 2027 to secure a spot in the 2028 Games.
Meanwhile, his football career hangs in the balance as the FA’s investigation continues.
Mudryk maintains his innocence, stating the positive test “came as a complete shock” and insisting he never knowingly used banned substances.
As Mudryk trains in isolation away from Chelsea, the sporting world watches whether his raw talent can redefine his future beyond the football pitch.
