Zelenskyy: 13 Russians at Olympics deserve to be disqualified, not Ukraine's Heraskevych

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who had planned to compete in a helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russian forces.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Sport shouldn't mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors. Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says otherwise. This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace.

I thank our athlete for his clear stance. His helmet, bearing the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes, is about honour and remembrance. It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence. And in this, no rule has been broken."

Details: Zelenskyy pointed out that despite calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympic Games, Russia continues to increase its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.

Quote: "660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. Hundreds of our athletes will never again be able to take part in the Olympic Games or any other international competitions. And yet, 13 Russians are currently in Italy competing at the Olympics.

They compete under 'neutral' flags at the Games, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve disqualification."

Background:

• Heraskevych will not be able to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games due to his disqualification by the IOC.
• The 27-year-old athlete from Kyiv was barred from the competition after wearing his "remembrance helmet" during training sessions.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!