Ukrainian Skeleton Star Condemns IOC Over Banned Memorial Helmet at Winter Olympics
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has launched a scathing attack on the International Olympic Committee, accusing the organisation of "betrayal" after it banned his racing helmet from competition at the Winter Olympics. The helmet, which Heraskevych has dubbed his "helmet of memory," features images of Ukrainian athletes and friends who have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
Ukraine Launches Formal Appeal Against Controversial Decision
On Tuesday morning, Ukraine's National Olympic Committee formally appealed the IOC's decision, arguing that Heraskevych should be permitted to wear the helmet during competition. The helmet honours weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, among other members of Ukraine's sporting community who have lost their lives in the conflict.
However, in emotional social media posts published late on Tuesday and throughout Wednesday, Heraskevych made his profound disappointment clear. "A decision that simply breaks my heart," he wrote. "The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honoured on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again."
Heraskevych Contrasts IOC's Stance with Previous Peaceful Protest
The athlete, who made history as Ukraine's first skeleton competitor, also referenced his previous peaceful protest at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Just days before Russia's invasion, Heraskevych held up a "No War in Ukraine" sign during the Games.
"Unfortunately, over these years this call for peace has only become even more relevant," he stated. "Also over these four years, the IOC has changed dramatically. Back then, in that action, they saw a call for peace and did not apply any sanctions against me."
Heraskevych pointed to what he perceives as inconsistency in the IOC's application of its rules. "Now, at the Olympics, we have already seen a large number of Russian flags in the stands, on the helmet of one of the athletes – and for the IOC, this is not a violation. Yet a violation was found in the 'helmet of memory', which pays tribute to members of the Ukrainian sports family who have been killed since the last Olympic Games were held. The truth is on our side. I hope for a fair final decision from the IOC."
IOC Cites Olympic Charter Rule 50.2 as Justification
The IOC has not publicly confirmed the helmet ban, but Heraskevych reported that Toshio Tsurunaga, the IOC's representative for athlete communications, visited him in the athletes' village to deliver the news. The decision is understood to be based on Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits "any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" at Olympic venues.
In a strongly worded statement, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine insisted the helmet was not intended as a political gesture. "The helmet was created to honour Ukrainian athletes who died defending Ukraine or became victims of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine," the committee stated. "The NOC of Ukraine states that it fully complies with the security requirements and rules of the IOC, does not contain advertising, political slogans or discriminatory elements and has been confirmed as such as meeting established norms during official training."
The statement concluded: "In the context of the ongoing full-scale war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, such a step is an important sign of recognition of the memory of Ukrainian athletes and the support of the Ukrainian nation!"
Controversy Unfolds Amid Russian Athlete Participation
The helmet controversy emerges as the IOC has cleared 13 athletes from Russia to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. This decision has itself been a source of significant debate within the international sporting community.
The Guardian has approached the International Olympic Committee for comment on the helmet ban and the ongoing appeal from Ukraine's National Olympic Committee. The outcome of this appeal and the final decision regarding Heraskevych's "helmet of memory" remains pending, casting a shadow over the athlete's participation and highlighting the complex intersection of sport, memory, and international conflict at the world's premier winter sporting event.
