CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych stated on Tuesday that he still intends to compete in the Milan Cortina Olympics wearing a helmet that honors athletes from Ukraine who have lost their lives in the conflict with Russia, despite the IOC’s refusal to permit it.
The International Olympic Committee proposed that Heraskevych wear a black armband instead, describing it as a compromise. The IOC asserted that the helmet, decorated with images of approximately 20 athletes who have died since the Russian invasion in 2022, breaches Olympic guidelines regarding political expressions.
Heraskevych indicated he does not plan to wear the armband.
“We will continue to advocate for the right to compete in this helmet,” Heraskevych said following his two training runs on Tuesday. “I genuinely believe we haven’t violated any laws or rules.”
He intends to wear the helmet again during the final training runs Wednesday, leading up to the heats on Thursday.
The IOC communicated to the Ukrainian Olympic Committee that it is “a fundamental principle” for the Games to remain free from “political, religious, and any other type of interference.”
“What we’ve tried to do is to respond to his wishes with compassion and understanding,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams stated on Tuesday. “He has voiced his opinion on social media and during training, and we will not prevent him from expressing himself in press conferences, as he leaves competition in the mixed zone and elsewhere. We consider this a fair compromise given the circumstances.”
Heraskevych can train in the helmet without fear of IOC sanctions. The IOC informed Ukrainian officials that he would not be able to “compete” with the personalized helmet. This issue is tied to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which states that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda is allowed in any Olympic sites, venues, or other areas.”
Armband an exception
Heraskevych placed fourth at last year’s world championships and is generally viewed as a medal contender at the Games. He has garnered support from fellow sliders on the skeleton tour, not just during this situation but throughout the ongoing war.
“Any form of war or conflict is wrong,” commented Britain’s Matt Weston, the reigning world champion and a leading gold medal contender. “There are always alternative ways to handle things. To be honest, I prefer not to say too much. It’s incredibly sad that we are in this situation and have to discuss it.”
The IOC acknowledged it has previously banned armbands but is making an exception in Heraskevych’s case. but, this does not imply that all athletes can wear armbands, and if Heraskevych opts to wear one, it cannot carry any text, Adams clarified.
“We don’t want everyone wearing a black armband for every competition,” Adams said. “But we will consider exceptions when there is valid reasoning.”
Heraskevych mentioned that he has seen Russian flags—banned at these Games—in the stands at certain events and questions why they are permitted by the IOC.
“I can’t comprehend how this helmet could offend anyone. It’s a tribute to athletes, some of whom were medalists at the Youth Olympic Games,” Heraskevych told The Associated Press on Monday before a meeting between Ukrainian sliding officials and an IOC representative, learning of the helmet’s prohibition. “They are part of our Olympic family, so I don’t see why there is a valid reason against it.”
The faces on the helmet include figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, a former Youth Olympic teammate of Heraskevych, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and hockey player Oleksiy Loginov. Some were killed on the front lines; at least one perished while attempting to deliver aid to fellow Ukrainians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on Heraskevych’s mission in an Instagram post, thanking the slider for “reminding the world of the cost of our struggle.”
“What a privilege to receive such significant support,” Heraskevych expressed.
Heraskevych, a flag bearer for Ukraine at last week’s opening ceremony, displayed a sign after his fourth and final run at the 2022 Beijing Olympics that read “No War in Ukraine.” Just days after those Games concluded, Russia invaded his homeland, and the conflict has continued since.
