Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed plans for a new sanctions package targeting individuals in Russia after the disqualification of skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the 2026 Olympics.
Zelensky stated that the document is ready and aims to send a clear message globally about the consequences of supporting aggression. He emphasized that the situation, where Ukrainian athletes are prohibited from acknowledging the victims of Russian aggression at the Olympics, represents a significant regression in justice.
Heraskevych was disqualified just 45 minutes before his competition due to his helmet, which featured images of fallen Ukrainian athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) claimed that the equipment violated the Olympic Charter’s principles regarding neutrality and the prohibition of political messages during events.
Following his disqualification, Heraskevych appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the court upheld the IOC’s decision during a hearing on February 13.
On February 14, Zelensky met with Heraskevych and his father, Mykhailo Heraskevych, who is also the head coach of the Ukrainian skeleton team, in Munich. During this meeting, the president awarded the athlete the Order of Freedom and expressed gratitude for his principled stance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a sanctions package in response to the disqualification of skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the 2026 Olympics. The move highlights Ukraine's commitment to addressing perceived injustices related to Russian aggression in sports.