Oleksandr Pielieshenko -- a former weightlifting champion who competed in the 2016 Olympics -- tragically died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Ukrainian Weightlifting Federation announced Monday.
He was just 30 years old.
UWF official Viktor Slobodianiuk said in a social media post the Olympian passed away while "defending Ukraine from foreigners."
Further details regarding the athlete's death were not revealed.
"I express my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Alexander!