Vladyslav Heraskevych, a skeleton racer representing Team Ukraine, was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday (February 12) over his use of a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives in combat following Russia’s invasion of the country.
His team announced that it would appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry said that, before the athlete’s competition, she met with him to try to dissuade him from wearing the helmet.
“No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging, it’s a powerful message, it’s a message of remembrance, of memory,” Coventry said. “The challenge was to find a solution for the field of play. Sadly we’ve not been able to find that solution.”
The IOC had offered him the alternative of displaying his helmet before the start and after the end of the race, as well as of wearing a black armband while competing.
Coventry explained that the decision stemmed from wanting to “keep a safe environment for everyone and sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed.”
In response to his disqualification, Heraskevych stated that the IOC’s decision “plays along with Russia’s narrative” and that the committee had “betrayed the memory” of the deceased Ukrainian athletes.
His team announced that it would appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry said that, before the athlete’s competition, she met with him to try to dissuade him from wearing the helmet.
“No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging, it’s a powerful message, it’s a message of remembrance, of memory,” Coventry said. “The challenge was to find a solution for the field of play. Sadly we’ve not been able to find that solution.”
The IOC had offered him the alternative of displaying his helmet before the start and after the end of the race, as well as of wearing a black armband while competing.
Coventry explained that the decision stemmed from wanting to “keep a safe environment for everyone and sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed.”
In response to his disqualification, Heraskevych stated that the IOC’s decision “plays along with Russia’s narrative” and that the committee had “betrayed the memory” of the deceased Ukrainian athletes.