The initiative is not new, but it is taking on a new dimension. Ukrainian freestyle skier Oleksandr Abramenko (photo above), 35, Olympic champion in aerials at the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018, silver medalist four years later in Beijing, has decided to put his medals up for auction. He announced it on social networks, specifying that the sale will be organized by SCP Auctions and open until December 2. According to estimates, it could reach at least $50.000 for the gold medal and $25.000 for silver. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the skier's family and efforts to help victims of the war in Ukraine ». Oleksandr Abramenko explains this in a letter attached to the announcement of the auction: “ I am selling them now to help my country during the war. Auctioning the medals was not an easy decision to make. They are really very valuable for me and for the sporting history of Ukraine. But like any other Ukrainian, I help the military meet their urgent needs. Furthermore, many people have suffered from the war, some have lost everything and also need financial assistance.. » At the PyeongChang 2018 Games, the gold medal won by Oleksandr Abramenko in aerials was the second in history for Ukraine at the Winter Games, following the title won in 1994 by figure skater Oksana Baiul. Last year, SCP Auctions auctioned the medals of Yuriy Cheban, double Olympic canoe single-seater champion in the road race. One of them, in gold, won at the Rio 2016 Games, reached the price of 55.152 dollars.
