Ukrainian Olympian weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko has died on the frontlines of Russia’s war in Ukraine. He was 30. Pielieshenko ranked fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the men’s 85kg category and won gold at the sport’s European championships in 2016 and 2017. He was banned after failing a drug test in 2018. “It is with great sadness that we inform you that the heart of merited master of sports of Ukraine...
“Eternal glory to the hero!” Pielieshenko’s death renewed questions around the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at Paris 2024 provided they do not openly support the invasion and have no army connections. Ukraine had threatened to boycott the Olympics after that decision but the country has now reluctantly opted to take part.