When Michailo Romanchuk had the bronze medal at the swimming world championships hanging around his neck, the Ukrainian broke out in emotions.
He banged his fist on the national crest on his track jacket before the 25-year-old let his tears flow.
"This medal is for all Ukrainians, for the army - and for my father, who defends my country," he said after his third place in the 800-meter freestyle.
His father, said the training colleague of German Olympic champion Florian Wellbrock, was a soldier fighting the Russian invaders in the Donbass.
"It's very hard and I miss her a lot."
He hasn't seen him for four months.
After all, they are in daily contact: "In the morning he writes to me that everything is fine." He cannot telephone him because then the Russians could determine his location.
With the World Cup medal, Romanchuk wants to send a sign to his compatriots, but also to the world: “I hope that the medal means a lot to Ukraine.
These are hard times and I showed all Ukrainians and all people that Ukrainians will fight to the end," Romanchuk later said.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, he has been unable to train in his homeland.
His trainer also fought at the front, but was given permission to travel to Hungary to see and look after Romanchuk at the title fights.
"It was very emotional for all of us," said national coach Bernd Berkhahn, with whom Romantschuk is currently training.
Wellbrock had invited his rival to train in the strong Magdeburg training group.
"Otherwise I wouldn't be here," confessed Romanchuk.
The two friends now took silver and bronze behind the American Bobby Finke in the 800 meter freestyle.
After the World Cup, Romanchuk is still not returning to Ukraine, but will continue to train in Germany to prepare for the European Championships in Rome (11th to 21st August).
"I want more medals," said the four-time European champion.
In Budapest, the Ukrainian is still over 1500 meters freestyle and in open water over five and ten kilometers at the start.