Ukrainian skeleton racer fights ban on helmet showing athletes killed in war
Global News
Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych's helmet showcased pictures of friends killed during Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of “betrayal” after it banned him from wearing a helmet featuring pictures of athletes and friends killed during the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Ukraine appealed the ban on the grounds that Heraskevych should be permitted to wear a commemorative helmet depicting weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko and hockey player Oleksiy Loginov.
The IOC rejected the appeal, citing a violation of its rules on political expression.
Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the governing body would allow Heraskevych to wear a black armband while competing.
“There was an informal meeting last night with Mr. Heraskevych, his coach and the delegation, and we reiterated our understanding of the athlete’s wish to pay tribute to his fellow Ukrainian athletes, which he’s done during training and on social media,” Adams said during a press conference.
“After the meeting, we also have reiterated that we will make an exception to the guidelines to allow him to wear a black armband during competition to make that commemoration.”
This is not the first time Heraskevych has made a statement on the sporting world’s most prestigious stage.
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Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych's helmet showcased pictures of friends killed during Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
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