To Defenders of Freedom

Ukrainian decathlon champion Volodymyr Androshchuk was killed on the battlefield

Ukrainian athlete Volodymyr Androshchuk died defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion near Bakhmut. Volodymyr’s death was announced on January 25.

“Yesterday, our decathlete and true patriot Volodymyr Androshchuk died fighting for Ukraine! Just recently, we saw Volodymyr participating in athletics competitions… My condolences to his family, friends, and relatives. Glory to all athletes who died fighting for the freedom of Ukraine! Glory to all Ukrainian heroes!” wrote Yevhen Pronin, the acting president of Ukraine’s Athletics Federation, on his Facebook page.

22-year old Volodymyr Androshchuk repeatedly became a prize-winner in athletics competitions in Ukraine. In particular, in 2019, Volodymyr won the decathlon competition at the Ukrainian Athletics U20 Championship.

Photos: Volodymyr’s Facebook page, Yevhen Pronin

In 2018, the athlete was a national team member for the European Athletics U18 Championship. And in 2020, Volodymyr represented Ukraine at the European Athletics U20 Championship, where he became sixth in the modern pentathlon.

Ukrainian athlete Iryna Herashchenko wrote on her Instagram page upon the tragic news: “A Ukrainian athlete, who was supposed to defend the honor of Ukraine at the competitions, died defending his native land from Russian occupiers at the frontline. It’s a real tragedy! Eternal memory to a hero!”

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