Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the 2026

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday, February 12, the disqualification of Vladyslav Heraskevych, Ukraine’s flag bearer, who was competing in the skeleton event. He refused to forgo wearing a helmet, honoring several of his compatriots who have been killed since 2022, either on the front lines or in Russian bombings.

The Olympic body had forbidden the Ukrainian athlete from wearing the helmet, citing Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits any form of “political propaganda” at competition venues. (New window)at the Olympic Village, or during medal ceremonies. However, on Tuesday, she suggested he wear a black armband rather than a helmet.

In a statement on X, the IOC explained that “this decision follows his refusal to comply with the IOC guidelines on athletes’ freedom of expression” and that these guidelines are “the result of a global consultation conducted in 2021 with 3,500 athletes from around the world .”

The Olympic body maintains that it “was absolutely determined that Mr. Heraskevych participated in the competitions.” Several IOC officials spoke with him “to determine the most respectful way to respond to his wish to pay tribute to the athletes who lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “

But “despite multiple exchanges and face-to-face meetings between the IOC and Mr. Heraskevych, the most recent taking place this morning [Thursday] with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, he has not considered any form of compromise,” such as wearing a black armband. The Olympic body points out that the Ukrainian athlete was able to display his helmet during all training sessions and when he appeared in the mixed zone in front of the media, and asserts that “the essential point in this matter lies not in the message itself, but in the place where he wished to express it. “

“The price of our dignity”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his compatriots’ initiative. “His helmet displays the portraits of our athletes who Russia killed. Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, killed in combat near Bakhmut, Yevhen Malyshev, a 19-year-old biathlete killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv, and other Ukrainian athletes whose lives were taken by the war waged by Russia,” he emphasized on Telegram.

“I sincerely believe that if we are here today, if we can enjoy sport and the Olympic Games, it is also thanks to their sacrifice. And I think they deserve to be here with me today. They also deserve to be with me on competition day,” Vladyslav Heraskevych stated on Tuesday, adding: “If the IOC betrays these athletes, I will not betray them.” After his disqualification on Thursday morning, he declared on his X account that the IOC’s sanction was “the price of our dignity. ”