Zelensky on Heraskevych: Having courage is worth more than any medal

According to Ukrinform, the president wrote about this on Telegram.

“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors. Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says otherwise. This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace,” Zelensky stated.

Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the athlete for his clear stance.

“His helmet, bearing the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes, is about honour and remembrance. It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence. And in this, no rule has been broken,” he noted.

The president stressed that he is proud of Heraskevych and his actions.

“Having courage is worth more than any medal,” Zelensky claimed.

The president emphasized that Russia constantly violates Olympic principles and uses the time of the Olympics for war.

“In 2008, it was the war against Georgia; in 2014 – the occupation of Crimea; in 2022 – the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, increasing missile and drone strikes on our energy infrastructure and our people,” he explained.

The president noted that Russia has killed 660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches during the full-scale war. At the same time, hundreds of Ukrainian athletes will never again be able to participate in the Olympic Games or any other international competitions.

“And yet, 13 Russians are currently in Italy competing at the Olympics. They compete under “neutral” flags at the Games, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve disqualification,” he concluded.

As reported, Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified today before his first run at the 2026 Olympic Games. Heraskevych planned to start the first run of the “Helmet of Remembrance,” but the run began without his participation. The day before, the IOC banned Heraskevych from competing in the “Helmet of Remembrance” at the Olympic Games. For this, the Ukrainian faced disqualification.

Photo: Suspilne Sport/Serhii Zakharchenko