IOC President comments on Heraskevych's disqualification over 'helmet of remembrance'
This morning, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry met with Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych and commented to the press on his disqualification.
According to Ukrinform, the IOC stated her remarks on its website.
"I felt that it was really important to come and talk to him face to face," Coventry said.
She referred to athletes' requests that the IOC "keep certain areas – the field of play, the podium and the Olympic Village – safe zones."
"No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It's a message of remembrance. It's a message of memory," she said about the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes displayed on Heraskevych's helmet.
Coventry emphasized that the issue was not the message itself, but "literally about the rules and the regulations."
"In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed," she stressed.
She acknowledged that an alternative way to honor the fallen Ukrainian athletes was not found.
"We could find ways where we can pay homage to his message, to his helmet, before he races. And sadly, we've not been able to come to that solution," Coventry stated.
It is noted that, in an exceptional case and at the request of the IOC president, the Committee's Disciplinary Commission reviewed the decision to revoke Heraskevych's accreditation for the Milan 2026 Games. He was allowed to remain at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan despite being banned from competing.
As Ukrinform previously reported, Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified before his first run at the 2026 Olympic Games. The IOC explained the disqualification as "non-compliance with the rules."
The disqualification of the Ukrainian athlete at the 2026 Olympics has been condemned internationally.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the IOC's decision to disqualify Heraskevych does not reflect adherence to the principles of Olympism, which are based on fairness and the promotion of peace.
Photo: IOC/Quinton Meyer