Nine-time Paralympic medalist Ievgenii Bogodaiko is looking to auction off his Tokyo 2020 gold medal in support of ZSU, the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In an interview with Ukrainian Vogue, Bogodaiko said he wanted to do his part to help the country through the difficult times it’s currently undergoing in the midst of the Russian invasion.
“I respect that the athletes are raising their hats for the Ukrainians,” he said, noting some of the other Ukrainian athletes who have made an effort to make a difference. “Nobody can sit with their hands clasped.”
Bogodaiko also said he’s helped the ZSU’s military territorial defense in his home city of Poltava, delivering various products from warehouses to the army.
“Now, at such a folding hour for our country, we are becoming stronger,” he said, tralnsated from Ukrainian. “We are a nation, a tougher nation! Victory is upon us! Everything will be good. If you need help, get involved.”
Bogodaiko won a pair of medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, earning gold in the men’s SB6 100 breaststroke and bronze in the S7 50 freestyle.
The 27-year-old hopes to be able to auction off his Tokyo gold medal and provide all the funds to the Ukrainian army.
He owns a total of nine Paralympic medals, including two golds from London 2012 and another from Rio 2016. In London, Bogodaiko won gold in the SB6 100 breaststroke and SM7 200 IM, and in Rio, he was the winner in the S7 100 backstroke.