CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is prepared to defy an International Olympic Committee (IOC) ban and compete at the Milan Cortina Games wearing a helmet adorned with the images of Ukrainian athletes killed during the war with Russia. The IOC has offered Heraskevych the option of wearing a black armband as a compromise, but the 27-year-old slider has firmly rejected that alternative.
“We will continue to fight for the right to compete in this helmet,” Heraskevych stated after training runs on Tuesday. “I truly believe that we didn’t violate any law and any rules.” He intends to wear the helmet again during Wednesday’s final training session ahead of Thursday’s four-heat Olympic race.
The helmet features the faces of over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have lost their lives since the Russian invasion in 2022. Among those pictured are weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ischenko, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko, diver and coach Mykyta Kozubenko, shooter Oleksiy Habarov, and dancer Daria Kurdel. Some, Heraskevych has said, died on the front lines, while others were killed while providing aid to fellow Ukrainians.
The IOC maintains that the helmet violates Olympic rule 50.2, which prohibits “any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” within Olympic venues. In a letter to the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, the IOC emphasized that maintaining the separation of the Games from “political, religious and any other type of interference” is a “fundamental principle.”
However, the Ukrainian Olympic Committee argues that the helmet is compliant with IOC rules, asserting that it does not contain any political slogans or discriminatory elements. Heraskevych echoed this sentiment, questioning why the helmet would be considered a violation.
“understand how this helmet hurt anyone,” Heraskevych told The Associated Press on Monday. “It’s to pay tribute to athletes and some of them were medalists in the Youth Olympic Games. That means they’re Olympic family. They were part of this Olympic family, so understand they would find a reason why not.”
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams acknowledged the situation, stating, “What we’ve tried to do is to address his desires with compassion and understanding.” He added that Heraskevych is free to express himself in press conferences and the mixed zone, and that the IOC’s willingness to allow the black armband, even though it has previously banned such displays, demonstrates a degree of flexibility. “We don’t want everyone wearing a black armband for every competition,” Adams said, “But where there’s a good reasoning it will be considered properly.”
Heraskevych’s stance has garnered support from fellow athletes. British skeleton racer Matt Weston, the reigning world champion, expressed sadness over the situation, stating, “Any type of war or conflict is wrong.” While Weston declined to comment extensively, his words reflect a broader sentiment of concern within the athletic community.
This isn’t the first time Heraskevych has used his platform to protest the war. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he displayed a sign reading “No War in Ukraine” after his final run. He also carried the Ukrainian flag at the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Games.
The IOC’s decision comes amidst reports that Russian flags have been spotted in the stands at some events, despite a ban on their display. Heraskevych questioned this apparent inconsistency, asking why the flags are permitted while his tribute to fallen athletes is not.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly voiced his support for Heraskevych, posting on Instagram to thank the slider for “reminding the world the price of our struggle.”
Heraskevych, who was fourth at last year’s world championships, is considered a medal contender in the skeleton event. His coach, Mykhailo Geraskevych, hinted at the athlete’s determination to wear the helmet, stating, with a wink, “We’ll see.” The situation remains fluid, but Heraskevych appears resolute in his commitment to honoring his fellow Ukrainian athletes, even if it means challenging the authority of the IOC.
