Four-time Olympic champion, Ukrainian swimmer Yana Klochkova has been deemed worthy of the country's highest award – the title of Hero of Ukraine. The decree was signed by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, the head of state's press secretary Olena Hromnytska told the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency.\n\nThis recognizes Y. Klochkova's outstanding services to Ukraine and her efforts in enhancing the country's prestige on the Olympic arena.\n\nThe decree was signed on the proposal of the president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, noted A. Hromnytska.\n\nIncidentally, after she won her first gold medal, Yanukovych met with Klochkova and gave her an icon.\n\nIt should be noted that on August 17, Y. Klochkova became a two-time winner of the highest award of the Olympic Games in Athens and a four-time Olympic champion overall. For two Olympiads in a row, the Ukrainian athlete has been winning the 400 and 200 meter individual medley events. Over these years, about 70 people have been deemed worthy of the title of Hero of Ukraine. The first to be deemed worthy of this award was the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Borys Paton (November 1998).\n\nHowever, after receiving the gold medal in Athens from the hands of the legendary Serhiy Bubka, Klochkova said she felt exhausted and had three wishes: to take an extended pause, to rest well, and possibly to find a new career outside the pool, reports the Ukrainian service of the BBC.\n\n"I need rest. I was under great psychological pressure. It is hard for me – I have spent half my life in the pool and now I need something new."\n\nIt should be noted that Yana Klochkova has already earned 200 thousand dollars at the Games in Athens and received two "Suzuki" cars – these are rewards from the state and sponsors for the two "golds."