Today, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevich made an important statement regarding the ban on using a "memory helmet" at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. In his video address on Instagram, he urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to lift the ban, which has sparked widespread discussion and outrage.
Geraskevich emphasized that he did not intend to escalate the conflict with the IOC, but demands a review of their decisions. "I never wanted a scandal with the IOC, and I did not create one. The IOC created this with their interpretation of the rules, which many consider discriminatory," the athlete noted.
Reasons for the Conflict
The athlete uses a helmet depicting more than 20 Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives as a result of the war caused by Russian aggression. With his performance at the 2026 Olympics, Geraskevich aims to draw attention to the memory of the deceased and support Ukrainian athletes.
It is worth noting that previously, Geraskevich attempted to obtain permission to compete wearing the "memory helmet," but received a denial. The IOC offered an alternative — to wear a black armband or ribbon, but the athlete disagreed with this decision.
Support for Ukrainian Athletes
Vladislav Geraskevich's statement has received support from several prominent Ukrainians, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his comment, Zelensky emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of the deceased and called attention to the double standards in the treatment of representatives from different countries at the Olympics.
The 2026 Olympic Games will take place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22, with skeleton competitions starting on February 12.
Geraskevich concluded that he cannot back down, as it will have consequences for all Ukrainian sports: "Any protest from a sports figure can now be immediately punished."
