IOC bans helmet: Vladyslav Heraskevych says he will wear his ‘helmet of remembrance’ despite IOC ban
Heraskevych has previously said he would respect Olympic rules while also raising awareness about the war in Ukraine at the Games.
“There are over 90 countries competing here, there are thousands of athletes, there are so many things people want to commemorate,” Adams added.
“We want a safe space in the Olympics where they can compete away from that, allowing them to express themselves.
“He can wear an armband without text. No matter how much we agree with a statement, we need to strike a good balance.”
Adams said people will always “push the rules to their limits” and the IOC will evaluate each case on an individual basis.
“Our rule is we have to protect the playing field, it’s hard and there will be people who try to game the system, that’s where we have to ban slogans,” Adams said.
“Other athletes will also be allowed black armbands if there is a good reason.”
The athletes said that Toshio Tsurunaga, the IOC representative responsible for communication between the national Olympic committees and the IOC, went to the athletes’ village to brief them.
“The IOC has banned the use of my helmet in official training sessions and competitions,” said Heraskevych, who was the Ukrainian flag bearer at Friday’s opening ceremony. he said. he said on Instagram on Monday., external
“It’s a decision that breaks my heart. The feeling that the IOC has betrayed the athletes who are part of the Olympic movement, not allowing these athletes to be honored in a sports arena where they will never step foot again.”
“Despite precedents in modern times and in the past where the IOC has allowed such extortions, this time they decided to impose special rules just for Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Heraskevych “for reminding the world of the cost of our struggle.” Publish on X., external
Heraskevych, Ukraine’s first skeleton athlete, was carrying a ‘No to War in Ukraine’ banner at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, days before Russia invaded the country.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were largely banned from international sport following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but there has since been a gradual return to competition, albeit not under their respective national flags.
IOC cleared 13 athletes from Russia, seven from Belarus, external Competing as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) in Milan-Cortina.
