Oleksandr Pielieshenko dead at 30: Former European champion and Olympic weightlifter killed fighting in Ukraine
OLYMPIC weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko has tragically died at the age of 30.
Pielieshenko was killed in combat while fighting for his country in Ukraine.
He is the first Olympian to have died in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The news was confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine today.
A statement read: "From the first days of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr joined the ranks of the Armed Forces. Yesterday we received the sad news of his death."
The Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation also paid tribute to the 30-year-old with a statement that read: "It is with great sadness that we inform you that today the heart of the honored master of sports of Ukraine, two-time European champion in weightlifting, Oleksandr Pielieshenko, has stopped beating.
"We express our deepest condolences to the family and everyone who knew Oleksandr!"
Pielieshenko became European champion in 2016 and retained his title the following year.
He also competed at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio and finished fourth, just outside the medal places.
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