Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Yuriy Volodymyrovych Cheban, has begun to auction his Olympic medals to raise funds for Ukrainian lives amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The retired sprint canoeist, Cheban won two gold medals and one bronze medal in his Olympic career. Being a Ukrainian, he desires to help his country as much as possible. Moreover, he believes that selling medals of Ukrainian athletes can help curbing the difficulties faced by their nation.

The ongoing Ukraine- Russia conflict has devastated people’s lives. In an email exchange, Cheban expressed the atrocities prevailing throughout the country and how he hopes for the end of the conflict.

Olympic medalist, Yuriy Cheban, decides to auction his medals

Yuriy Cheban is one of the most celebrated athletes in Ukraine. The sprint canoeist won gold medals in 2012 and 2016. He also bagged a bronze medal in 2008. By auctioning his medals, Cheban expects to raise a six-figure fund to contribute to his country.

The Ukrainian athlete is auctioning his medals through SCP Auctions. It estimates each medal to fetch about $75,000 each from the neighboring countries. Moreover, the estimated amount is quite impressive considering the medals available in today’s time.

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Cheban expressed his determination and vision to auction his medals in an email exchange with Association Press on Wednesday. He stated, “My Olympic medals won’t matter if Ukraine can’t stand for this fight for freedom and independence.”

Moreover, the 36-year-old athlete will donate the raised amount to the Olympic Circle charity fund. The charity is close to his home, the Black Sea port city of Odessa. Established by Ukrainian athletes, the Olympic Circle is also close to the city of Mykolaiv and the recently liberated city of Kherson.

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Cheban expressed that the Ukrainian people are living without electricity, hospitals, stores, and schools. Many of his own family members are freezing in their apartments while struggling to adjust to the harrowing atrocities.

In the email exchange, Cheban expressed that he was not much hopeful about sports putting an end to the war. However, he wishes to save Ukrainian lives through whatever contribution he can make. Cheban’s medal auction will continue till 10 December.

Yuri Cheban was inspired by another Ukrainian athlete

Cheban is not the only Ukrainian athlete to auction his medal to contribute to his country. He was inspired by his countryman Slava Medvedenko, a basketball player. He raised a total of more than $253,000 by auctioning off the two championship rings that he won playing with the Lakers in 2001 and 2002.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, its athletes were compelled to train in different countries. In the latest Summer World Championship, 22 Ukrainian athletes participated in the track and field world championships held in Oregon. Players like Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Andriy Protsenko won silver and bronze medals respectively in the championship.

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