Breaking News: Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Raises Awareness at Olympics
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych wore a helmet featuring images of people killed in the war in Ukraine during a training session at the Winter Olympics in Cortina.
Heraskevych, who was Ukraine’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony, stated he wanted to use the event to keep attention on the conflict. He mentioned that many of those depicted on his helmet were athletes, including weightlifter Alina Peregudova and boxer Pavlo Ishchenko.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has contacted Ukraine’s Olympic Committee about the helmet. Heraskevych confirmed that the matter is still being processed.
He previously held up a “No War in Ukraine” sign at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, political demonstrations are not allowed at Olympic venues. Heraskevych has expressed his intention to follow Olympic rules while still raising awareness about the war.
Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were largely banned from international sports. The IOC has since allowed 13 Russian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) in the upcoming Milan-Cortina games.
The BBC has reached out to the IOC for further comment.
