Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defends an Olympian’s banned helmet honouring athletes killed in the war with Russia, calling it a vital truth.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has defended a Winter Olympian’s right to wear a helmet featuring portraits of athletes killed during the war with Russia.
His statement came after skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych said the International Olympic Committee had banned the custom helmet from training and competition.
The 27-year-old flag bearer said the decision “simply breaks my heart” in a social media post.
Heraskevych wore the helmet during a training session in Cortina and had intended to use the Games to help maintain international pressure on Russia.
He said he would submit an official request to the IOC and continue to seek permission to use it.
The IOC has yet to publicly confirm the ban.
“I thank the flag bearer of our national team at the Winter Olympics, Vladyslav Heraskevych, for reminding the world of the price of our struggle,” Zelensky said on X.
“This truth cannot be inconvenient, inappropriate or called a ‘political demonstration at a sporting event.’ It is a reminder to the entire world of what modern Russia is,” the president added.
Gestures of a political nature on the medal podium have been forbidden since 2021 under article 50 of the Olympic Charter.
Athletes are, however, permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP this month that Russia has killed “more than 650 athletes and coaches”, according to the latest data.
In social media videos, Heraskevych has said the images represent only a fraction of the athletes killed since the full-scale invasion.
They include Olympians and Youth Olympic medallists, such as his former teammate, figure skater Dmytro Sharpar.
Heraskevych marched in Milan last week as his country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony, alongside speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko.
He is competing at his third Winter Games.
