Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych commented on his disqualification at the Olympics
He noted that he had not received any explanation regarding the Russian flag depicted on one of the athletes' helmets.
Photo: Andrew Milligan / PA Images via Getty Images
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for the first time commented on his disqualification at the 2026 Winter Olympics, writes UNIAN.
The Ukrainian athlete believes that there were no violations on his part at the 2026 Olympics. "We did not violate any rules and had every right to compete in this helmet, on par with other athletes who did similar things in previous days at these Olympic Games," the athlete emphasized.
Heraskevych said that the documents he received stated that he had publicly announced that these were war victims.
"This helmet carries no political context, therefore, I believe I had every right to compete in it," the athlete expressed his conviction.
In this regard, Heraskevych questioned the statements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and personally IOC Chair Kirsty Coventry, that they support Ukraine.
"There are great doubts about this. Especially after this decision. We paid the price for our dignity. I defended the interests of Ukraine and the memory of the athletes," Heraskevych explained his actions.
He noted that he would further prepare a lawsuit with CAS and continue to fight for his rights.
It should be recalled that today the International Olympic Committee disqualified Vlad Heraskevych, who was going to compete in a helmet featuring photographs of Ukrainian athletes who died in the war with Russia.
Earlier, the IOC had forbidden him from both competing and training in this helmet. Heraskevych was offered to replace the helmet with a black ribbon. And, it was said, he could appear before the press in the helmet after the competition. He refused.
The helmet features images of 20 athletes who have died in the past four years during Russia's invasion.
"Some of them were members of the Olympic movement, the Olympic family; some were just children who fell victim to Russian shelling. These were people who were closely connected to sports their whole lives, cheered for us, were our friends," said the Ukrainian skeleton racer. "Some of them were my friends."
Comments
не получилось стать равнее других.
Для политических демонстраций ищите площадки вне олимпийских игр
Кажаш так, быць бы іх чытаў)
"Па другое, чаму ж тады мак не пакараў тых спартоўцаў"© А ты ведаеш, адкуль стала вядома, што хтосці таксама мае нейкія парушэнні? Гэта праз гэтага стукача.
"Вось дзе крывадушша і цынізм, а ты гэта яшчэ апраўдваеш!"©
Яго папярэдзілі, прапанавалі альтэрнатыву, ён адмовіўся, за што і вінен несці адказнасць.