Zelensky defends Ukrainian Olympian banned from wearing tribute helmet

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Livigno: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has defended skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych after he was banned from wearing a tribute helmet at the 2026 Olympics picturing Ukrainian athletes who have been killed in the war.

Heraskevych will instead be allowed to wear a black armband in competition as the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – February 24 – nears.

Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych in a training session

Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states that no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.

However, Zelensky said the truth was not a political demonstration.

“His helmet bears portraits of our athletes who were killed by Russia,” Zelensky said.

“Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who was killed in combat near Bakhmut; Yevhen Malyshev, a 19-year-old biathlete killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv; and other Ukrainian athletes whose lives were taken by Russia’s war.”

Vladyslav Heraskevych carries the flag for Ukraine in the opening ceremony.

Heraskevych carried the flag for Ukraine at the opening ceremony in Cortina on February 6.

“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.

“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.

“And this is what reminds everyone of the global role of sport and the historic mission of the Olympic movement itself – it is all about peace and for the sake of life. Ukraine remains faithful to this. Russia proves the opposite.”

International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams said the IOC had received a formal request for Heraskevych to wear the helmet, but had informed his coach he could not wear it in competition.

“The Games need to be separated from not just political and religious topics, but all types of interference so that all athletes can concentrate on performance,” Adams said.

“What we have said is this helmet contravenes the above-mentioned guidelines. But that being said, after the meeting [with Heraskevych coach], in which we reiterated those guidelines again, we decided to make an exception to allow him to wear a black armband during competition.

“What we have tried to do is address his desires with compassion and understanding.”

Heraskevych took to social media to express his disappointment with the decision, but said they would not give up.

“At the Olympics, we have already seen a large number of Russian flags in the stands, on the helmet of one of the athletes - and for our IOC, this is not a violation,” Heraskevych said.

“Yet a violation was found in the ‘helmet of memory’, which pays tribute to members of the Ukrainian sports family who have been killed since the last Olympic Games were held.

“The truth is on our side. I hope for a fair final decision from the IOC.”

Heraskevych is holding a press conference later on Tuesday local time, along with members of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, where he will address the “importance of honouring the memory of Ukrainian athletes who have lost their lives as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”

The Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.