Lithuania criticises IOC over disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton athlete

Lithuania has condemned a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych for using a "helmet of remembrance".

Source: European Pravda

Details: President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda praised the athlete's courage in a post on social media platform X (Twitter), noting that the memory of those who were killed will remain forever.

"We are proud of you, Vladyslav Heraskevych, for your courage in showing the true face of war at the 2026 Olympics. Glory to the heroes!" he wrote.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, in turn, described the decision by the International Olympic Committee as despicable.

Quote: "Remembrance of fallen Ukrainian athletes is not a violation. The helmet shows faces, not slogans – a human tribute to the Ukrainian sportsmen killed in Russia's war, one that should be respected, not silenced or banned.

The IOC's decision to ban this tribute is a despicable move, unworthy to uphold the spirit of sport."

More details: Prime Minister of Lithuania Inga Ruginienė also criticised the decision.

"The IOC's decision to bar Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing is deeply disappointing and fundamentally unfair," she stated.

Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, expressed solidarity with Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Support for the Ukrainian athlete following the IOC decision was also expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna.

Dace Melbārde, Minister of Education and Science of Latvia, sent an official letter to the IOC calling for cancellation of the decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych over the "helmet of remembrance".

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