Kostya Deneka, a 28-year-old Ukrainian cyclist, died on April 1 defending Ukraine. More than 200 Ukrainian athletes have died since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022
Fellow Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych described his death as a "terrible and painful loss for the hero's relatives and for the entire Ukrainian sports community". Deneka has lost his life in the battle for Bakhmut, which has been under attack for already 8 months and where the toughest battles have been taking place throughout the whole winter. The ex-cyclist's took place yesterday in the capital of Kyiv with full honour.
CyclingUpToDate would like to extend it's condolences to friends and family of Kostya.
More sad news from Ukraine… The talented 28-year-old cyclist Kostya Deneka has been killed in battle against the Russian Army in Bakhmut It’s time for the International Olympic Committee to rethink their decision and ban all Russian athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympics (1/2)
