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Ukrainian Olympian Disqualified for War Memorial Helmet, Accuses IOC of “Russian Propaganda”
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics just an hour before competition after refusing to abandon his helmet featuring images of war victims from his homeland, sparking controversy over Olympic rules and political expression at the Games.
The 26-year-old athlete, who had clocked the fastest time in training, stood firm in his decision despite a face-to-face meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry on Thursday morning at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
“I believe this Olympic Games is playing along with Russian propaganda,” Heraskevych said following his disqualification. “We already saw a lot of Russian flags on a fence, on an athlete’s helmet, in the news, it’s everywhere.”
The helmet featured tributes to Ukrainian athletes killed in the conflict, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov. Heraskevych maintained that abandoning the memorial would betray those who lost their lives in the ongoing war.
The IOC cited Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Officials first flagged the helmet on Monday and formally notified Heraskevych it breached regulations on Tuesday.
Coventry reportedly left the meeting with Heraskevych in tears after unsuccessfully pleading with him to wear a black armband instead and display the helmet after competition. “I was not meant to be here, but felt that it was really important to come and talk to him face-to-face,” she said. “I think this is a difficult situation that we are all in. Again, I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with the messaging.”
Heraskevych, who plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, accused the IOC of double standards. He pointed to American figure skater Maxim Naumov, who held up a photo of his parents (victims of a Washington DC plane crash) while awaiting scores on Tuesday without repercussions.
“Many people told me don’t do it, and that I have proved my point, but I can’t betray others,” Heraskevych explained. “I want peace in my country, and I believe we should honour people who sacrificed their lives.”
The controversy highlights tensions surrounding Russia’s presence at the Games. While Russia has been banned from the Olympics since invading Ukraine nearly four years ago, 13 Russian athletes are competing in Milan-Cortina under a neutral flag – a compromise that has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials and athletes.
Heraskevych claimed his disqualification played into Russian narratives: “The IOC not allowing us to compete in this helmet was treated very well in Russia. Olympic champion [Alexander] Tikhanov said in Russian media that we are not even a nation, and we do not exist as a nation.”
The Ukrainian athlete demanded the IOC allow him to compete, issue a public apology for causing stress, and provide electrical generators for Ukrainian sports facilities suffering from attacks by Russian forces.
Great Britain’s Matt Weston, who currently leads the men’s skeleton competition at the halfway point, expressed sympathy for his competitor: “On a personal level, I’m really sad that he’s missed out on being able to compete. I think that’s gutting for anyone. I chat to him all the time and he’s kind of a big personality within the circuit.”
The IOC maintained that athletes can “express grief with dignity and respect” at multi-faith centers in Olympic villages, adding that the decision to withdraw Heraskevych’s accreditation came from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation jury based on helmet rule violations.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of separating sports from politics, particularly in the context of an active conflict that has deeply affected Ukrainian athletes and citizens.
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8 Comments
I’m disappointed to see the IOC taking such a rigid stance on political expression at the Olympics. The Ukrainian athlete’s helmet honoring fallen countrymen is a poignant memorial, not a partisan statement. The IOC should reconsider its rules to allow for such respectful gestures during times of conflict.
This is a tricky situation that highlights the IOC’s challenge in maintaining neutrality at the Olympics. While the Ukrainian athlete’s helmet tribute is not a partisan political statement, it does represent a clear expression of national identity during a time of conflict. The IOC likely needs to revisit its rules around such gestures to find a more nuanced approach.
This is a tough situation without any easy answers. While the Olympics aim to be apolitical, the Ukrainian athlete’s helmet tribute feels like an appropriate and meaningful way to honor those impacted by the ongoing conflict. The IOC should find a way to balance its neutrality rules with allowing for such respectful gestures.
The IOC’s decision to disqualify the Ukrainian skeleton racer for his helmet tribute is heavy-handed. Surely there could have been a compromise where the athlete was allowed to compete with the memorial, rather than forcing him to abandon it entirely. This feels like the IOC is playing into Russian propaganda.
I understand the IOC’s desire to maintain neutrality at the Olympics, but disqualifying the Ukrainian athlete over his helmet tribute seems overly restrictive. Honoring those who have sacrificed in the conflict is not a political statement, but a solemn act of remembrance. The IOC should reconsider its approach here.
Disappointing to see the IOC taking such a hardline stance on this. The Ukrainian athlete’s helmet memorial is not a partisan political statement, but rather a solemn tribute to those who have lost their lives in the conflict. The IOC should show more empathy and allow for such respectful expressions.
This is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. While the Olympics aim to be apolitical, the Ukrainian athlete’s helmet tribute seems like an appropriate and respectful way to honor those impacted by the ongoing conflict. The IOC should consider more flexibility around such gestures.
This is a troubling situation. While the Olympics aim to be apolitical, the Ukrainian athlete’s helmet tribute seems like an appropriate way to honor those who have sacrificed in the ongoing conflict. The IOC should show more sensitivity and flexibility around expressions of national identity and memorials for war victims.