A Ukrainian Olympic athlete was disqualified from competing on Thursday after Olympic officials ruled his helmet violated political speech rules.
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a skeleton athlete, planned to wear a helmet honoring Ukrainians killed in the war with Russia. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation disqualified him the morning of the event after determining the design breached international Olympic Committee restrictions on political messaging during competition.
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Dispute over Olympic rules
Heraskevych had been allowed to wear the helmet during training sessions. He said it depicted athletes and friends killed in the war.
However, the IOC prohibits political speech during Olympic competitions and ceremonies. Spokesman Mark Adam said before the event, “The Games need to be separated from all types of interference so that all athletes can concentrate on their performances.”
Heraskevych rejected the decision and said he did not violate IOC rules.
“I never wanted a scandal with the IOC, and I did not create it. The IOC created it with its interpretation of the rules, which many view as discriminatory,” Heraskevych wrote. “I am convinced that we did not violate any I.O.C. rules, and therefore we have every right to wear this helmet.”
He later proposed that the IOC lift the ban, apologize, and “provide electric generators for Ukrainian sports facilities that are suffering from daily shellings.”
The New York Times reported that Haraskevych had planned to wear the helmet during competition despite being told he could not.
Zelenskyy defends athlete
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weighed in Thursday, backing the athlete and criticizing Olympic authorities.
“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
He said that 660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. He also noted that 13 Russian athletes are competing in Italy as “neutral” participants.
“They compete under ‘neutral’ flags at the Games, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve disqualification,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We are proud of Vladyslav and of what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal.”
Russia’s Olympic status
The IOC officially banned Russia from the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy. However, a limited number of approved athletes are competing as “individual neutral athletes.”
They are not allowed to participate in team sports, march in ceremonies, or have their medals counted toward a national total.
Several Russian-born athletes are also competing for other countries.
