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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle

Ukraine’s former Olympian weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko killed in action

Oleksandr Pielieshenko of Ukraine competing in the 85kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Oleksandr Pielieshenko of Ukraine competing in the 85kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The first Olympian to die in the war in Ukraine has been announced. The weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko, who finished fourth in the 85kg light-heavyweight category at the Rio Games in 2016, was killed defending his country on Sunday.

The news was confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, who said Pielieshenko died during combat operations.

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