Zelensky criticizes IOC for disqualifying Ukrainian Olympian for helmet honoring athletes killed in war
Same show, different day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ripped the International Olympic Committee for disqualifying Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet honoring athletes killed since the beginning of the war.
The IOC announced Thursday morning that it was disqualifying Heraskevych for his refusal to comply with the committee’s guidelines on “athlete expression.” Zelensky said sports “shouldn’t mean amnesia,” following the decision.
“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelensky said in a statement on X. “This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace.”
Zelensky thanked Heraskevych for his “clear stance,” arguing the helmet was about “remembrance.”
“It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence,” Zelensky said. “And in this, no rule has been broken.”
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych holds his crash helmet as he stands in the mixed zone of the sliding center at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she met with Heraskevych for a “respectful” conversation before he was disqualified.
Coventry said the decision was not about the message, but was based on the “rules and regulations.”
“No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of memory,” she said in a statement. “It’s not about the messaging; it’s literally about the rules and the regulations.”
“In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed,” she added.
VANCE AMPLIFIES US OLYMPIANS ARE NOT AT GAMES TO ‘POP OFF’ ON POLITICAL TAKES
Zelensky called out Russia for “constantly” violating “Olympic principles.”
He highlighted various Russian military actions taken following the Olympic Games, specifically pointing to Georgia in 2008, 2014, with the “occupation” of Crimea, and 2022 with the invasion of Ukraine.
“It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles, using the period of the Olympic Games to wage war,” he said. “And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, …
Same show, different day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ripped the International Olympic Committee for disqualifying Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet honoring athletes killed since the beginning of the war.
The IOC announced Thursday morning that it was disqualifying Heraskevych for his refusal to comply with the committee’s guidelines on “athlete expression.” Zelensky said sports “shouldn’t mean amnesia,” following the decision.
“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelensky said in a statement on X. “This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace.”
Zelensky thanked Heraskevych for his “clear stance,” arguing the helmet was about “remembrance.”
“It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence,” Zelensky said. “And in this, no rule has been broken.”
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych holds his crash helmet as he stands in the mixed zone of the sliding center at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she met with Heraskevych for a “respectful” conversation before he was disqualified.
Coventry said the decision was not about the message, but was based on the “rules and regulations.”
“No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of memory,” she said in a statement. “It’s not about the messaging; it’s literally about the rules and the regulations.”
“In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed,” she added.
VANCE AMPLIFIES US OLYMPIANS ARE NOT AT GAMES TO ‘POP OFF’ ON POLITICAL TAKES
Zelensky called out Russia for “constantly” violating “Olympic principles.”
He highlighted various Russian military actions taken following the Olympic Games, specifically pointing to Georgia in 2008, 2014, with the “occupation” of Crimea, and 2022 with the invasion of Ukraine.
“It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles, using the period of the Olympic Games to wage war,” he said. “And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, …
Zelensky criticizes IOC for disqualifying Ukrainian Olympian for helmet honoring athletes killed in war
Same show, different day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ripped the International Olympic Committee for disqualifying Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet honoring athletes killed since the beginning of the war.
The IOC announced Thursday morning that it was disqualifying Heraskevych for his refusal to comply with the committee’s guidelines on “athlete expression.” Zelensky said sports “shouldn’t mean amnesia,” following the decision.
“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelensky said in a statement on X. “This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace.”
Zelensky thanked Heraskevych for his “clear stance,” arguing the helmet was about “remembrance.”
“It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence,” Zelensky said. “And in this, no rule has been broken.”
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych holds his crash helmet as he stands in the mixed zone of the sliding center at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she met with Heraskevych for a “respectful” conversation before he was disqualified.
Coventry said the decision was not about the message, but was based on the “rules and regulations.”
“No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of memory,” she said in a statement. “It’s not about the messaging; it’s literally about the rules and the regulations.”
“In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed,” she added.
VANCE AMPLIFIES US OLYMPIANS ARE NOT AT GAMES TO ‘POP OFF’ ON POLITICAL TAKES
Zelensky called out Russia for “constantly” violating “Olympic principles.”
He highlighted various Russian military actions taken following the Olympic Games, specifically pointing to Georgia in 2008, 2014, with the “occupation” of Crimea, and 2022 with the invasion of Ukraine.
“It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles, using the period of the Olympic Games to wage war,” he said. “And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, …
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