A UKRAINIAN decathlon champion who was set to compete at the Paris Olympics has died in battle after he was shot dead by Russian soldiers.
Volodymyr Androshchuk was killed in action near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on January 25.
4Volodymyr Androshchuk was expected to be a future Olympic starCredit: Twitter/@DefenceU
4Tributes have flowed in following the death of the Ukrainian soldierCredit: ReutersThe tragic loss of the 22-year-old was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, who said: “A promising athlete and a true hero.
“He could have been able to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris, if Russia hadn’t invaded Ukraine.
“Why do Russians still have this privilege.”
Anton Gerashchenko, former deputy minister of the Ministry of Inner Ukraine, paid tribute to the athlete.
He said: “Volodymyr Androshchuk, Ukrainian track and field athlete, member of the national team, died in combat near Bakhmut.
“RIP, Volodymyr.
“We keep losing our best people.”
Family and friends of Androshchuk said their final goodbyes at the man’s funeral on Wednesday, February 1.
His funeral was held in the western Ukrainian town of Letychiv, with hundreds mourning the death of the future athlete.
Heartbreaking images showed people crying in despair as they lined up at his open coffin.
4A fellow soldier holds a picture of the courageous athleteCredit: Reuters
4Family and friends are mourning the death of the manCredit: Reuters
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk