Decorated Ukrainian Olympian Oleksandr Pielieshenko Killed in Combat

The two-time European weightlifting champion died defending Ukraine, highlighting the war's toll on athletes.

Oleksandr Pielieshenko, a prominent figure in international weightlifting, was killed on the front lines in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia.
Pielieshenko had joined Ukraine's armed forces shortly after the invasion began in 2022, demonstrating his commitment to his nation's defense.
Throughout his career, Pielieshenko achieved significant success, including two European championships and a near medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
His death is part of a larger tragic narrative, with over 400 Ukrainian athletes and officials reported killed since the conflict's onset.
The weightlifting community and national figures have expressed profound loss, emphasizing that 'heroes do not die,' a sentiment echoed in tributes.