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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tore into the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday after an athlete was disqualified for wearing a helmet in tribute to victims of the war with Russia.
The IOC said Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych’s decision to continue wearing the helmet that paid tribute to more than 20 athletes and coaches who died during the war violated the organization’s policy prohibiting political statements on the sports field.
The decision caused a massive reaction among Ukrainian athletes.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
“Sport should not mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help end wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych indicates otherwise. This is certainly not about the principles of Olympicism, which are based on fairness and the support of peace.
“I thank our athlete for his clear position. His helmet, bearing the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes, symbolizes honor and remembrance. It reminds the whole world of Russian aggression and the cost of the struggle for independence. And in this, no rules were broken.”
Zelensky blamed Russia for violating the “Olympic principles” with its continued wars against neighboring countries, including his own.
Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete under neutral flags at the Olympics.
Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych, with his helmet, which features photos of people killed in the war against Russia. Heraskevych was excluded from the men’s skeleton event by the International Olympic Committee just over an hour before the start of the competition, pictured at the Cortina Sliding Center on the sixth day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, February 12, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
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“And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia is showing complete disregard, increasing missile and drone strikes against our energy infrastructure and our population,” Zelensky continued.
“660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. Hundreds of our athletes will never again be able to participate in the Olympics or any other international competition. And yet, 13 Russians are currently in Italy participating in the Olympics. They are competing under “neutral” flags, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve to be disqualified.
“We are proud of Vladyslav and what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal.”
Heraskevych met with IOC President Kirsty Coventry before taking part in the first official skeleton race. He said they could not “find common ground.”
Heraskevych received a message from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), saying the helmet was “incompatible with the Olympic Charter and guidelines on athlete expression.” The IOC offered him concessions, including wearing a black armband or the possibility of displaying the helmet off the ice.
“I deeply believe that the IBSF and the IOC understand that I am not violating any rules,” Heraskevych said. “Also, I would say (it’s) painful that it really feels like discrimination because many athletes were already speaking out. … They haven’t faced the same things. So, as a result, only the Ukrainian athlete present at these Olympics will be disqualified for the helmet.”
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych arrives at the finish during a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The IOC expressed its “regrets” over this decision.
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“As you have all seen in recent days, we have allowed Vladyslav to use his helmet in training,” said Coventry, who at times shed tears while speaking to reporters. “No one, no one – especially me – disagrees with the message. The message is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of remembrance and no one disagrees with that. The challenge we face is that we want to ask or find a solution just for the field of play.”
