Olympic Weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko Dead At 30, Killed In Ukraine-Russia War

Oleksandr Pielieshenko — a former weightlifting champion who competed within the 2016 Olympics — tragically died whereas combating within the Ukraine-Russia struggle, the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation introduced Monday.

He was simply 30 years previous.

UWF official Viktor Slobodianiuk mentioned in a social media submit the Olympian handed away whereas “defending Ukraine from foreigners.”

Additional particulars relating to the athlete’s demise weren’t revealed.

“I express my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Alexander!” Slobodianiuk mentioned. “This is a very heavy loss for the entire heavyweight community of Ukraine.”

“Heroes do not die.”

Pielieshenko gained gold medals in weightlifting occasions on the European championships in ’16 and ’17. He additionally competed within the sport on the Rio Video games in ’16 as effectively.

He later, nonetheless, obtained a ban in 2018 after failing a drug take a look at.

Based on the Nationwide Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Pielieshenko had simply joined Ukraine’s navy forces … on the outset of Russia’s invasion in 2022.

“We express our sincere condolences to the family and all who knew Alexander,” the UWF mentioned.