Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych received a state award after IOC disqualification
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych with the state Order of Freedom following his disqualification by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The decree on awarding the honor was published on the website of the President’s Office. Zelensky commended the athlete for his civic courage, patriotism, and efforts in defending democratic values. This decision was made after the IOC disqualified Heraskevych for using a “helmet of memory” at the Winter Olympics.
The president emphasized that sport should not mean forgetting, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars. Zelensky noted that the IOC’s behavior does not align with the principles of justice and peace, while Russian aggression continues to violate Olympic values. The president highlighted that Russia has traditionally used the Olympics for military actions, as seen in 2008 in Georgia, 2014 in Crimea, and 2022 in Ukraine.
Recall that on February 9, Heraskevych stated that IOC officials prohibited him from using a helmet with portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes. The Ukrainian National Olympic Committee (NOC) appealed to the IOC to allow the athlete to compete with this helmet, but on February 10, it was decided that Heraskevych could not use the “helmet of memory” but could have a black armband.
| Date of the event | Event | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| February 9 | Helmet with portraits banned | NOC appealed to the IOC |
| February 10 | Helmet refusal, black armband allowed | IOC decision |
| February 12 | Heraskevych disqualification | IOC confirms decision |
