The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come under scrutiny following its recent decision to revoke the accreditation of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevych for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan. Human rights organization Global Rights Compliance expressed deep concern over this action, describing it as inconsistent with the IOC’s own regulations.
According to Global Rights Compliance, the IOC’s reference to the Olympic Charter, which prohibits any form of expression on the sports stage, contradicts its treatment of other athletes, particularly those from Russia. The organization pointed out that at least four Russian athletes have been allowed to compete despite their overt support for Russia’s military actions.
“By violating the so-called ‘participation rules,’ the IOC has permitted Russian athletes to compete while simultaneously banning gestures of remembrance from Ukrainian athletes,” stated the organization.
The IOC also allowed Italian snowboarder Roland Fischnaller to compete while wearing a helmet adorned with the Russian flag, a symbol that is officially banned at the Games. Global Rights Compliance questioned how the IOC interprets such political displays as compliant with the Charter, while deeming a tribute to fallen athletes unacceptable.
Geraskevych’s situation highlights what Global Rights Compliance describes as a contradictory approach by the IOC. For instance, the committee permitted the use of a black armband in lieu of a helmet featuring portraits of deceased athletes, raising questions about the criteria for acceptable forms of expression.
“Why is it permissible to wear a black band, but not to honor those being remembered?” the organization asked, emphasizing that the IOC’s claims regarding the prohibition of all forms of expression do not hold up.
The president of the IOC, Kirsty Coventry, stated that the ban on the helmet was necessary to maintain a “safe environment for all.” However, this assertion has only fueled skepticism among human rights advocates.
Global Rights Compliance has called for the IOC to clarify its seemingly unequal treatment of Geraskevych and to prioritize the creation of a safe environment for Ukrainian athletes, who are victims of Russian aggression. The organization argues that the IOC, as a commercial entity, is obligated under international law to respect human rights and should not favor those who support war crimes while silencing victims.
Jeremy Pizzi, a legal advisor for Global Rights Compliance, criticized the IOC’s application of its rules as inconsistent and concluded that Geraskevych should not have been banned from competing with a “memorial helmet.”
In 2024, Global Rights Compliance published a report indicating that the IOC allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes who publicly support war crimes to participate in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
On the morning of February 13, Geraskevych announced the initiation of legal proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “I am confident that I have not violated IOC rules, and therefore, I consider my disqualification to be entirely unjustified,” he remarked.
On February 12, the IOC announced the ban on Geraskevych’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics, citing his failure to adhere to rules regarding the expression of views due to his intention to wear a helmet featuring portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes. The IOC later clarified that the helmet violated its regulations but did not specify how. Meanwhile, the committee allowed the wearing of black armbands to honor the deceased.
Geraskevych responded that black armbands would not suffice to honor all fallen Ukrainian athletes and acknowledged the possibility of disqualification but remained resolute in his intention to compete with the “memorial helmet.”
The IOC's disqualification of Ukrainian athlete Vladislav Geraskevych has sparked criticism from Global Rights Compliance, which argues the decision reflects inconsistencies in the committee's application of its own rules. The organization is calling for clarity on the IOC's stance regarding expressions of remembrance in sports.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty