This teen patriot proudly wore his country’s colours on the field of play and on the battlefield; he died defending his home on March 1, just nine days before he would have turned 20.
When most people turn 20, they are worried about where to have a party and who to invite.
Not Yevhen Malyshev.
Malyshev was busy defending his city.
Yevhen Malyshev was an up-and-coming biathlete for Ukraine’s junior national biathlon team when he cut his career short to join the army.
He was among the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ first casualties when Russia shelled the North-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on March 1.
He would have been 20 on March 10.
Promising Biathlete
Biathlon is the most popular winter sport in Ukraine, so making the country’s national teams are a true sign of prestige and talent.
Yevhen Malyshev showed his talent at an early age.
Yevhen Malyshev was a talented athlete from an early age (Photo Credit: Yevhen Tarasenko – Biathlon.com.ua)
He was already competing at a national level at age 16. By 18, he was named in Ukraine’s biathlon team for the Lausanne 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games – the most prestigious youth tournament in the world.
The International Biathlon Union was among the first to announce Malyshev’s death.
“Above all, the IBU expresses its deepest condolences on the loss of former Ukrainian biathlete Yevhen Malyshev (19), who died this week serving the Ukrainian military”, the IBU said in an online statement.
“The Executive Board once again condemns the Russian attacks on Ukraine and the support provided by Belarus”.
Turn to the Army
At 18, Malyshev decided a different kind of service to his country was necessary and signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He was stationed in Kharkiv when the city came under sustained attack by Russian artillery on March 1.
Rockets crashed down in the areas of New Bavaria and North Saltivka, near the centre of the city.
Malyshev was among the casualties.
“19-year-old biathlete Yevhen Malyshev died in a battle near Kharkiv”, said the Ukrainian Parliament on social media.
“Two years ago, the biathlete was a member of the junior national team. Eternal memory of the hero.”
Moving the IPC
Malyshev’s memory was invoked by Ukrainian athletes and media to question the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.
Answering a question posed by the Kyiv Post, a notably moved IPC President Andrew Parsons tried to offer words of condolence.
“I cannot even start to imagine the pain that his family is feeling at the moment. I can only tell them that my deepest thoughts are with them. This is absolutely not fair. It is disgusting. It is against humanity”, he said.
“I cannot even imagine how painful it is to be a Ukrainian right now. I try to sympathize and try to empathize – it’s difficult. My country is not at war and my family is not hiding themselves in the subways of the capital of my nation.”
Ukrainian athletes sent out a message blasting the IPC decision. Latvia threatened to boycott games against Russia. Other countries followed suit.
Less than a day later, citing an international outcry, the IPC changed its decision and announced a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
It’s of little consequence to Malyshev. While the athletes not competing at Beijing 2022 can wait for another competition, Malyshev will never get that chance.
With athletes – from local amateurs to heavyweight boxing champions – lining up to protect the country, the chances are that Malyshev won’t be the only one to never get the chance.
Since his death, at least three more Ukrainian athletes have been killed, including 16-year-old Ukrainian Samba champion Artem Priymenko.
“Yevhen Malyshev was a talent in biathlon. He was only 20 (19) when he was killed in combat in the war in Ukraine”, said the group Global Athlete in conjunction with the Ukrainian Paralympic team.
“Rest in Peace”, the group said, concluding the statement.
