One of the best skeleton athletes in the world, Vladyslav Geraskevych, who was entrusted to carry the Ukrainian flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics, was banned by an IOC representative from performing at the Games in Milan wearing a helmet with photos of 20 Ukrainian athletes who were killed by Russian occupiers.
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The 27-year-old athlete, who spoke out against the war in Ukraine on the track at the 2022 Games, used this helmet in training and wanted to compete in it, but a representative of the International Olympic Committee forbade him from doing so.
“The IOC prohibits the use of my helmet in official training and competitions. A decision that simply breaks the heart,” said Vladyslav Geraskevych on the social network X. “The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not giving them the opportunity to honor them in the sports arena, where these athletes will never be able to enter again.
“Despite precedents in the present and the past, when the IOC allowed such honors, this time we decided to establish special rules for Ukraine. We are preparing an official request to the IOC and will fight for the right to compete in this particular helmet.”
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ADVERTISING – Vladyslav Heraskevych OLY (@heraskevych) February 9, 2026
By the way, the legendary Czech hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup winner Dominik Hasek, has already come out in defense of Geraskevych's position.
“The IOC has banned Ukrainian skeleton athlete Geraskevych from competing in a helmet that pays tribute to his heroic fellow Ukrainians who died in Russia's war against Ukraine,” wrote Dominik Hasek . “At the same time, the IOC has allowed 14 Russian citizens to compete, and none of these 14 Russian athletes have condemned Russia's aggressive war and serious Russian crimes. Unfortunately, the Olympic Games have turned into an advertisement for Russia's aggressive war and its serious crimes.”
By the way, presenting his helmet, the Ukrainian skeletonist said that it has photos of not only Olympians, child athletes and sports veterans, but also his athlete friends who were killed by the Russians. “The world should remember the victims of Ukraine, and this is very important to me,” the athlete emphasized.
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– Vladyslav Heraskevych OLY (@heraskevych) February 9, 2026
Previously, “FACTS” reported that Vladyslav Geraskevych was outraged by the act of the traitor chess player Karyakin.
Photos from social networks
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