Which Olympic athletes are speaking out so far? What these 5 are doing
Global News
Multiple Olympians have voiced their opinions surrounding recent political ongoings across the globe just three days into the Games.
Numerous Olympic athletes are speaking out at the 2026 Olympic Games, despite the International Olympic Committee’s mission to “maintain and promote its political neutrality and to preserve the autonomy of sport.”
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.”
The Winter Olympics come amid Russia’s continued war in Ukraine, as well as tensions that continue to escalate with American citizens and the federal administration surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the country.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance was also booed by some spectators at the Winter Games opening ceremony, representing the country as the hosts of the 2028 L.A. Olympic Games.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych trained on Monday wearing a helmet with images of compatriots killed during Russia’s war on Ukraine, delivering on a promise to use the Olympics to keep attention on the conflict.
“Some of them were my friends,” the country’s flagbearer said Monday.
Heraskevych, who also held up a “No War in Ukraine” sign at the Beijing Olympics days before Russia’s 2022 invasion, had said he “intended to respect Olympic rules prohibiting political demonstrations at venues” while still “ensuring Ukraine’s plight remained visible during the Games.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers and almost 15,000 civilians have died since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
