Winter Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych, who is a skeleton pilot, has been told he will not be allowed to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Thursday.
Heraskevych refused to comply with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) athletic guidelines as he respectfully paid tribute to fellow athletes who lost their lives amid Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian athlete had pictures on his helmet of friends of his who lost their lives in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The IOC would not allow the pictures on his helmet, as they say mourning is not expressed and perceived elsewhere in the world.
Heraskevych was met with the IOC President Kirsty Coventry who explained that he has one final opportunity not to wear the helmet of fallen athletes killed by Russia’s war in Ukraine which is not compliant with the Olympic Charter, he refused to comply and he is no longer allowed to participate at the Italian Winter Olympics.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rightly stuck by Heraskevych and called it “morally appalling” that the IOC would disqualify the Olympian.
President Zelensky shared a post by Piers Morgan, who said the decision is “disgusting.”
President Zelenksy wrote on X, “Thank you for taking a principled stance, Piers.
“The IOC’s decision is indeed morally appalling.”
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