Zelenskyy awards Order of Freedom to Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded the Order of Freedom to Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Source: a decree published on the president's official website

Details: Today, 12 February, the Ukrainian Olympian was disqualified from competing at the 2026 Olympic Games for failing to comply with a ban on using his "helmet of remembrance".

Background:

• On 9 February, the IOC banned Heraskevych from competing in a helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed during the war. The IOC suggested that he wear a black armband as an alternative. The Ukrainian athlete responded that in spite of the ban, he planned to compete wearing the helmet.
• The situation gained worldwide attention, and Heraskevych received support from many well-known figures, including Ukrainian sabre fencer Olha Kharlan and boxer Volodymyr Klitschko. Ukrainian athletes and members of the military have also expressed their support.
• The Ukrainian parliament called on the IOC to allow Ukrainian athletes to use symbols honouring the memory of fallen Ukrainian athletes and defenders and to reconsider the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!