The IOC banned a Ukrainian skeleton rider from competing in a helmet with photos of athletes killed by Russians. Moments
later, the Committee announced a "compromise".
Ukrainian skeleton rider Vladislav Heraskevych announced that the International Olympic Committee had not allowed him to train and compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics wearing a helmet featuring photos of Ukrainian athletes killed during the war.
"A decision that is simply heartbreaking. The feeling is that the IOC is betraying these athletes who were part of the Olympic movement by not allowing them to pay tribute in a sporting arena where these athletes will never be able to compete again," commented Vladislav.
The athlete emphasized that IOC representative Toshio Tsurunaga informed him of the "critical ban" on wearing the helmet during official training and competitions. He also noted that the Italian snowboarder had previously competed in a helmet that, among other things, was adorned with the Russian flag.
"We are preparing an official letter to the IOC and will fight for the right to compete in this helmet," Heraskevych added.
The International Olympic Committee has not yet commented publicly on the incident.
Volodymyr Zelensky supported the skeleton skater's decision to honor athletes killed during the Russian aggression:
"His helmet bears portraits of our athletes who were killed by Russia. Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who died in the battles near Bakhmut, 19-year-old biathlete Yevhen Malyshev, who was killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv, and other athletes who lost their lives in the Russian war.
I thank Vladislav Heraskevych, the standard-bearer of our national team at the Winter Olympics, for reminding the world of the cost of our fight.
This truth cannot be inconvenient, inappropriate, or called a 'political action at a sports competition.' It is a reminder to the entire world of what modern Russia is."
And this reminds us of the global role of sport and the historic mission of the Olympic movement itself – it's about peace and life. Ukraine is committed to this. Russia is proving the opposite."
After the incident became public, the IOC announced that it would make an exception to the regulations and allow the Ukrainian skeleton athlete to wear a black armband during competitions.
"The International Olympic Committee fully understands the athletes' desire to honor their friends who died in this conflict," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said at a press conference. According to him, the IOC will make an exception to the regulations and allow Heraskiewicz to wear a black armband during competitions.
"We believe this is a good compromise," he added. "At previous Games, athletes were even denied the right to wear the armband." At the same time, Adams emphasized that the competitions should remain as neutral as possible.
“When it comes to freedom of speech, all athletes have complete freedom to express their opinions on any topic on social media,” Adams said.
Source: Suspilne / V_Zelenskiy_official / Vladyslav Heraskevych IG / Radio Svoboda
