When Ukraine’s striker Artem Dovbyk scored in the 120th minute during the last 16 game against Sweden, he instantly became a hero of millions of his compatriots since this is the first time Ukraine has advanced to the quarter-finals of a European Championship. But he became an internet sensation because of how he celebrated.
No - he didn't do a triple somersault or make provocative gestures to the fans of the rival team. In fact, his celebration was pretty mundane – the athlete took off his shirt and ran to the corner flag. However, what he had on under his shirt caused social media to explode.
Ukrainian goal scoring hero Artem Dovbyk’s bra-like vest became instantly iconic tonight pic.twitter.com/NREXa4c12r
— Business Ukraine mag (@Biz_Ukraine_Mag) June 29, 2021
Many users were baffled by the sight and even wondered whether the athlete belongs to the LGBT community.
Can someone please explain why Ukraine’s Dovbyk is wearing a lady’s sports bra under his shirt?
— Dorje (@dorje_m) June 29, 2021
And why on earth he would choose to reveal that to the whole world in his moment of goal-scoring glory?!?!#SWEUKR #UKR #SWE #UKRSWE #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/IOCINHnx6g
Lol Dovbyk rocking a sports bra.
— NO ONE 👻 (@JohnJoelP) June 29, 2021
He just came out? #SWEUKR
Even more open-minded people said they were stunned…
I consider myself an open minded girl, yet I don't think I can get behind this bra scenario... 👀 #Dovbyk #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/N6LZFrb3R0
— Lauren P (@mation_annie) June 29, 2021
Some suggested that this was a homage to US female athlete Brandi Chastain, who took off her shirt after scoring a winning penalty in the finals of the 1999 Women's World Cup.
Love the Brandi Chastain celebration from Artem Dovbyk at the end there #SWEUKR pic.twitter.com/ARbgYPR8FV
— Brian (@brianhboyle) June 29, 2021
Other netizens joked about the issue and some even came up with new football chants.
Asked to comment on Artem Dovbyk's sports bra, a @UEFA spokesperson said: "A number of male players wear G-strings too. What's your point?" pic.twitter.com/ehab7p7Tvs
— ELLIS CASHMORE (@elliscashmore) June 30, 2021
He scores in a bra, he scores in a braaaaa. Artem Dovbyk, he scores in a bra
— Craig (@csrandall87) June 29, 2021
In fact the "sports bra" the athlete wore turned out to be nothing more than a GPS performance tracker, which is used to measure the athlete’s performance. It measures, speed, acceleration and deceleration as well as heart rate with data being streamed to a tablet, phone or smartwatch. Besides improving performance, the tracker also helps to prevent injuries with coaches seeing when players are being pushed to the limit.
Having beating Sweden, Ukraine will now face England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
