A Ukrainian athlete has been prohibited from participating in the Winter Olympics due to using a non-compliant helmet.
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a skeleton pilot, was observed during his training runs sporting the helmet and was informed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it was not allowed.
Despite this, Heraskevych chose to continue using the helmet.
The helmet showcased images of athletes who lost their lives during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the IOC stated did not align with their Guidelines on Athlete Expression.
In response to the ban, Haraskevych expressed gratitude for the support received on social media.
He shared online: “I want to thank everyone for all the support we’re receiving. There really is an incredible amount of it.
“For me, the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could – because they gave the most precious thing they had.
And plain, simple respect toward them is exactly what I want to give.”
According to the BBC, the IOC informed him that the helmet ‘does not comply’ with the Olympic Charter, prohibiting its use.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry reportedly approached him to discuss the matter, but the organization stated he ‘did not consider any form of compromise’.
The IOC released a statement: “The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete. This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Heraskevych later addressed the incident, writing on social media that ‘this is the price of our dignity,’ and shared with BBC Sport his disappointment over missing a medal opportunity.
“I could be among the medallists in this event, but suddenly because of some interpretation of the rules which I do not agree with, I am not able to compete while other athletes in the same situation were able to compete, and they didn’t face any sanctions,” he remarked.
The IOC clarified that the decision to bar him was ‘taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules,’ a decision Heraskevych disputes.
This ruling follows Maxim Naumov’s act of holding an image of his parents, who were among the 67 individuals killed in a plane crash in Washington DC last year.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams highlighted potential issues with athletes wearing gear commemorating war casualties.
“There are according to the Red Cross, 130 conflicts going on at any one time. We can’t have them all in competition [with each other at the Games],” he told The Telegraph.
“The field of play could become a field of expression, you could see it would lead to chaos. We cannot have athletes put on them by political masters to make expressions during competition.
“We do our best to create a level playing field, I make no apologies for that.