Ukrainian Olympic legend Yuriy Cheban is auctioning off the gold medals he won in London and Rio de Janeiro to support his nation's war effort against Russia.
Cheban is Ukraine's most decorated Olympian, having won one bronze and two golds. The 36-year-old sprint canoeist won bronze in Beijing in 2008, before adding his first gold medal at the London 2012 Games. Four years later, Cheban repeated his heroics as he added a second gold to his CV in Rio de Janeiro.
After claiming his sport's biggest accolades, Cheban is now parting ways with both of his gold medals and his bronze to aid Ukraine's efforts against the Russian invasion.
Revealing his decision, and talking about his 2016 triumph, the Ukrainian said: “It was one of the best moments of my life that can be compared only with the birth of my child. This Olympic finish left a great memory forever in the world history and in the hearts of Ukraine.
"By the way, the famous Olympic boat from the 2016 Games was sent to the museum of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the medals are poised for auction in the U.S. Time to move on, I would like these medals to benefit Ukrainians once again."
Cheban is Ukraine's most successful Olympian alongside Vasiliy Lomachenko, with the pair the only two male athletes to win two Olympic golds since the country began competing independently in 1994. The sale is being led by SCP Auctions.
According to the auction site, all proceeds made from the sale of the medals is going to benefit Ukraine's Olympic Circle charity. Bidding for the trio of medals started at £8,300 ($10,000), with the leading bid currently sitting at £10,900 ($13,310). As well as the two golds and one bronze, the winning bidder will also receive a personal letter from Cheban.
