On Feb. 12, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych just before the start of competition at the 25th Winter Olympic Games in 2026. The reason was a “memory helmet” featuring photos of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.
Heraskevych planned to compete wearing the helmet, but the IOC banned it, saying it “does not comply with the principles of the Olympic Charter, which require equipment neutrality and prohibit political or other messaging during competition.”
At the same time, the IOC allowed an Italian snowboarder to compete with a Russian flag displayed on his helmet, despite symbols of the aggressor state being banned at the 2026 Games.
Ukraine will appeal the decision. In the meantime, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Heraskevych the Order of Freedom.
NV tracked how prominent Ukrainians — athletes, politicians and business leaders — as well as one EU official with close ties to Ukraine, reacted on social media to what has become known as the “Heraskevych case.”
Wladimir Klitschko, former professional world heavyweight champion and 1996 Olympic boxing champion in Atlanta:
“‘The most important thing is not winning, but taking part’ — for Russian and Belarusian athletes. But for Ukrainian athletes who were killed, even honoring their memory is forbidden. The IOC claims this is not about politics, only about sport.
But this has nothing to do with the Olympic Games anymore — these are political games. The IOC is not protecting neutrality; it is protecting its image. The faces of Ukrainian athletes who gave their lives for freedom turned out to be ‘too political’ for your perfect television show. The Olympic ideal is lost in the cold calculations of global sports business.
When I think today about my Olympic gold medal, I no longer feel pride — I feel shame. For the IOC, the show must go on. And I am here to say what they do not want to hear: the killings must stop.”
Zhan Beleniuk, member of parliament and Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at Tokyo 2020:
“This [the IOC’s behavior] is absurd, it is double standards. If the IOC wants to say it is against political pressure, then why are you changing your position when Putin has not changed his position in any way over these four years? You took a strong stance at the beginning, you suspended [the Russians] — so why are you making concessions now, why are you playing along with the aggressor?
Do you want a repeat of history with Hitler, who was allowed to host the Olympic Games and then all of Europe and the whole world learned what that meant? Fine — keep stepping on the same rake again and again.
My support goes to all our Olympians, and to Vladyslav Heraskevych for his stance, for holding the line, for not giving up together with the entire team, and for not betraying the fallen athletes immortalized on his Olympic helmet. And shame on the IOC, unfortunately.”
Katarina Mathernová, EU ambassador to Ukraine:
“I admired Vladyslav Heraskevych’s gesture. He trained wearing a helmet with the faces of Ukrainian athletes and friends killed by Russia. He wanted to remind the world that the war continues and that it has names and faces.
He was excluded from the Olympics — by the same International Olympic Committee that allowed 20 Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag.
This year’s Olympics certainly did not stop Russia. It attacks Ukraine every day. Again last night, another thermal power plant was damaged. In Kyiv, another 2,600 residential buildings were left without heating — a total of 3,700 apartment blocks without heat. At least six people were injured, including a four-year-old child in Dnipro.
They excluded Heraskevych. But the world cannot close its eyes to the war in Ukraine. People here are freezing and dying. I am angry.
Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Heraskevych.”
Artem Dovbyk, Ukrainian footballer and striker for Italy’s Roma:
“There are things more important than medals.”
Olha Kharlan, Ukrainian fencer and Olympic champion in 2008 and 2024:
“We are with you, Vladyslav!”
Ihor Surkis, president of Dynamo Kyiv football club:
“We all understand, Vlad, that you prepared for the Olympics for years, but will not be able to take the start because of your principled position. Thanks to you, the world continues to talk about the brutal war Russians are waging on our land. You paid for this with your sporting dream, but for us Ukrainians, you are the true champion and winner. Thank you.”
Boryslav Bereza, former member of parliament:
“Latvia and Lithuania are demanding explanations regarding Heraskevych’s disqualification at the 2026 Olympics. They said the design of Heraskevych’s helmet contained no political slogans or calls, and was dedicated to the memory of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war.
At the same time, Ukrainian IOC officials are silent. Where are the public statements and protests from Valeriy Borzov and Serhii Bubka? They have represented Ukraine in the IOC for decades. But if they cannot or do not want to remember that they are supposed to defend Ukraine’s interests in this organization, then perhaps it is time to replace them with those who will.”
Oleh Horokhovskyi, founder of monobank:
“Athletes dedicate their lives to achieving results. Vladyslav sacrificed his goal for the sake of justice and truth. Is that any less valuable to us than an Olympic gold medal?”