Skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevich has been disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics over his use of a helmet depicting a Ukrainian athlete killed in the war with Russia.
The Ukrainian athlete was informed of her disqualification after meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry at the sliding venue early Thursday morning local time.
His team said it would appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Heraskevich attended the Olympics wearing a custom-made helmet with the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the civil war that began shortly after the 2022 Beijing Games.
Vladislav Heraskevich said his helmet did not violate IOC rules. (AP: Aijaz Rahi)
The IOC announced on Monday night that helmets will not be allowed in competition, citing rules banning political speech in Olympic stadiums.
Heraskevic wore a helmet to training on Tuesday and Wednesday anyway, knowing the IOC could ultimately keep him out of the Olympic race.
“The helmet does not violate any IOC rules,” Heraskevich said.
The decision was also condemned in Kiev, as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Sport should not mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a statement on X.
“Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevich says otherwise.”
Zelenskiy said Heraskevich’s helmet did not violate any regulations and was intended for “honor and commemoration” purposes.
“This is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence,” he said.
“Regrettably” decision
Ms. Coventry told reporters she wanted to meet Mr. Heraskevich in person in a final attempt to “find a solution.”
“No one, especially me, disagrees with this message. It’s a powerful message, a message of remembrance, a message of remembrance,” she said.
“The challenge was to find a solution for the playing field. Unfortunately, we were unable to find that solution.”
Ms Coventry said it had been an “emotional morning”.
“I really wanted to see him race,” she said.
The IOC said it made the decision to disqualify Heraskevic “with regret.”
“While there have been a number of exchanges and face-to-face meetings between the IOC and Mr. Heraskevich, his last meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry this morning indicated that he was not considering any form of compromise,” the IOC said in a statement.
“The IOC was very keen for Mr. Heraskevich to participate, which is why the IOC sat down with him to find the most respectful way to honor his wishes to honor the memory of his fellow athletes who lost their lives in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
“The essence of this case is not the message, but where he wanted to express it.”
AP