The Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation (UWF) has announced that Ukrainian Olympic athlete and two-time European champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko has lost his life at the age of 30 on the Russian-Ukrainian war front.
Pielieshenko placed fourth in the men's 85 kg category at the Rio 2016 Olympics and won gold medals at the European championships held in 2016 and 2017.
HE WAS BANNED IN 2018
Pielieshenko, who was banned in 2018 after failing a drug test, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the early days of the invasion.
In a statement on Facebook, the UWF said, "It is with great sadness that we report that the heart of Ukraine's honored master of sports, Oleksandr Pielieshenko, stopped beating today. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and everyone who knew him."
'HEROES NEVER DIE'
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine also commemorated Pielieshenko with respect, noting that he had joined the armed forces in the early days of the invasion.
Weightlifting coach and Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation board member Viktor Slobodianiuk said, "War takes the best of us... heroes never die."
News Source: 12punto
