A young Ukrainian weightlifting star has been killed by Russian shelling in Mariupol.
The Mariupol City Council have reported the the death of Alina Peregudova, 14. The teenager's mother was also killed in the attack as the harrowing war continues.
Peregudova was considered a rising star in the sport and had been tipped to one day compete in the Olympics. Despite being three years below the maximum age, she won gold at the under 17 Ukraine Championships in the 40kg category.
According to reports, Peregudova was a pupil at the Regional Specialised Children's and Young People’s Sports School for the Olympic Reserve in Weightlifting. She was also a student at the Sergei Bubka Donetsk Region Specialised Professional Sports College.
Despite her age, she was already in contention for a place in the national team. And on social media, tributes flooded in for the rising star.
Iuliia Mendel, a spokesperson for the President of Ukraine, tweeted an image of her alongside a burning candle. On the post, she wrote: "In Mariupol, 14-year-old weightlifter Alina Peregudova and her mother were killed by Russian shelling."
@JamesAbigo responded with "So sad may they soul rest in peace, my condolences and prayers to the family." @RafaelMontob added: "Another face. Look. Please. At this face. Innocent. Good. Ukrainian. Human."
@nickpollo1 echoed the sentiments of many by saying: "RIP. Yet more lives pointlessly destroyed," while @manzanarezrobin posted: "May they rest in peace."
Many Twitter uses opted to leave emoji's of breaking hearts or praying hands. Others opted to pay tribute by posting pictures of flowers or candles .
On Thursday, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 2,899 civilian deaths since Russia's military attack began. Of them, 210 were children with a further 3,235 people reported to have been injured.
However, OHCHR specified that the real numbers could be considerably higher. The news of Peregudova's death comes in the same week that Russian President Vladimir Putin opted to slam the ban on Russian athletes representing their country - with teams also barred from competing in international events.
“As far as projects cancelled in Russia by the international sporting governing bodies, god be the judge," he said. "But in that regard, the cancelled competitions with our own new formats and we can get it done fast. Open and all-round attractive multiple-step athletic tournaments, make sure international athletes, teams and clubs take part.”
