Another controversy has stormed the 2026 Winter Olympics after the Ukrainian skeleton star Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the event following his refusal to take off his “Helmet of Remembrance.”
He was stripped of his accreditation due to the political nature of the helmet featuring pictures of the Ukrainian athletes who died in the war against Russia.
The Rule of 50 of the Olympic Charter was invoked by the committee, which prohibits political demonstrations in the Olympics.
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, held a last-minute meeting with the athlete to reach a compromise but failed. In an official statement, she said:
“No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging; it’s a powerful message.” Even visibly upset Coventry told reporters, “The challenge was to find a solution for the field of play.”
Heraskevych was offered to wear a black armband but he refused to do so and rejected the offer.
“I am disqualified from the race. I will not get my Olympic moment,” he noted. “They were killed but their voice is so loud that the IOC is afraid of them.”
Despite the ban from the tournament, Heraskevych said he has no regrets:
“I will not betray these athletes. These athletes sacrificed their lives and because of this sacrifice, I am able to be here.”
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