Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has reported that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has prohibited him from wearing a helmet adorned with images of deceased Ukrainian athletes during official training and competitions. This announcement was made via his social media accounts on February 9.
Heraskevych expressed his dismay over the decision, stating, “The decision is simply heartbreaking. It feels like the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement by not allowing us to honor them on the sports arena, where they will never compete again.” He revealed that the IOC’s representative, Toshio Tsurunaga, communicated this critical ban to him.
In his remarks, Heraskevych highlighted a perceived inconsistency in the IOC’s stance, noting that an Italian snowboarder had previously competed while wearing a helmet that featured the Russian flag among other designs. “We are preparing an official request to the IOC and will fight for the right to compete in this helmet,” he added.
As of now, the IOC has not publicly commented on the situation. The controversy comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has affected numerous athletes and sporting events.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced his support for Heraskevych’s initiative to honor athletes who lost their lives due to the Russian aggression. He remarked, “On his helmet are portraits of our athletes killed by Russia. This includes figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who died in battles near Bakhmut, and 19-year-old biathlete Yevhen Malyshov, who was killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv, among others.”
Zelensky emphasized that the reality of the consequences of Russian aggression “cannot be deemed uncomfortable, inappropriate, or labeled as a ‘political act’ during sporting events.”
Heraskevych previously made headlines during the 2022 Winter Olympics when he displayed a sign reading “No war in Ukraine” shortly before the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February 24, he has advocated for a boycott of Russian and Belarusian athletes in all international competitions.
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete, has been banned by the IOC from wearing a helmet featuring images of fallen athletes. This decision has sparked discussions about the IOC's policies and the ongoing impact of the conflict in Ukraine on sports.
Source: Radio Svoboda