Oleksandr Pielieshenko, a former Olympian and celebrated Ukrainian weightlifter, has died in combat amid the ongoing war with Russia, marking a significant loss for both the sports and national communities.
Oleksandr Pielieshenko, a Ukrainian weightlifter and former Olympian, was killed during combat operations amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Pielieshenko, aged 30, known for his performance in the 85kg category where he finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had joined the Ukrainian armed forces following the Russian invasion in 2022.
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine confirmed his death, marking him as the first Olympian to die in the current conflict. In response to his passing, the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation honoured him, acknowledging his contributions to the sport and his service to his country. Pielieshenko, a two-time European champion, had faced a setback in 2018 when he was banned from weightlifting for failing a drug test.
His death adds to the approximately 450 other Ukrainians from the professional sports community reported to have been killed in the war. Controversially, despite the ongoing conflict, Russian athletes are set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics under specific conditions as “neutral” participants, a decision that has sparked debate given the circumstances.
Pielieshenko’s death was broadly mourned across the sports and national communities, reflecting on his dual role as an athlete and a soldier.
