The Ukrainian Olympic canoe champion Yuri Cheban is auctioning off his Olympic medals in aid of an aid organization for the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The two gold medals from the 2012 games in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro as well as the bronze medal from 2008 in Beijing will be offered on the online platform of the auction house SCP Auctions from Laguna Niguel, California, until December 10th.
Cheban had won the single canoe over 200 meters.
"My Olympic medals don't matter if Ukraine cannot withstand this fight for freedom and independence," the 36-year-old said in writing to the AP news agency.
A minimum bid of $10,000 is set for the gold medals and half that for the bronze medal.
According to AP, the auction house expects the gold medals to sell for around $75,000 each.
The proceeds will then benefit the Olympic Circle Charity Fund and through it the city of Mykolaiv.
“At the moment peaceful Ukrainian cities are without electricity, hospitals, schools, shops.
People are freezing in their own homes and part of my family is trying to live and work under these conditions,” said Cheban, who had already received the Order of Merit 3rd class from the Ukrainian President in 2012 for his sporting achievements at the Olympic Games in London .
By auctioning his medals, he says he wants to help Ukraine end Russia's war of aggression.
He was "pessimistic" that sport alone could stop the attacks on Ukraine.
"But selling the medals of famous athletes can help save many Ukrainian lives and provide the army with the necessary equipment," he stressed.