The International Olympic Committee has decided to disqualify Ukrainian national team skeleton skater Vladislav Geraskevich from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.. The reason was the athlete’s refusal to remove the “helmet of memory”, which depicts Ukrainian athletes who died as a result of Russian aggression. This is stated in the official statement of the IOC.

According to the committee, the use of such an element of equipment is contrary to established rules. Previously, the IOC banned the athlete from performing in this helmet, despite the appeal of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and public statements by Geraskevich himself. As an alternative, the Ukrainian was offered a black ribbon or bandage, but he refused and continued to go to the start wearing a “memory helmet.”.

Vladislav Geraskevich himself, in a comment to Suspilny, stated that he did not consider his actions a violation of the rules.

[quote type\u003d" I haven’t received a single explanation about the Russian flag, why sanctions were not applied, why a skier has the right to speak with a message to her deceased teammate, but we don’t,” the athlete said. [/quote].

The IOC's decision caused a stir in the sports community. Latvia was one of the first to react to the disqualification of the Ukrainian skeleton athlete.

The country's President Edgars Rinkevics said on social network X that he considers the suspension unfounded..

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The Latvian skeleton team also filed an official protest demanding that the disqualification be lifted. The athlete’s father and coach, Mikhail Geraskevich, announced this live on Suspilna Sport..

[quote type\u003d" We never doubted the Latvian team. Skeleton was born in Latvia. Ukrainian skeleton was born in Latvia with the support of the Latvian skeleton team,” he said. [/quote].

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According to the coach, the Ukrainian team also received words of support from representatives of South Korea, Denmark, Italy, as well as from coaches and athletes from the national teams of Germany, the USA, Brazil and other countries.

Representatives of Ukrainian sports also demonstrated an active reaction. The Shakhtar football club was one of the first to publicly support the skeleton player, declaring that it fully shares his position.

[quote type\u003d\! Memory is not a disorder! The voice of Ukraine must be heard! The price of freedom must be honored! Vladislav Geraskevich, we are with you,” the club’s statement says.. [/quote].

Words of support were also released by Dynamo Kiev and Karpaty Lviv..

Dynamo President Igor Surkis, head coach Igor Kostyuk and team captain Vitaly Buyalsky addressed the athlete separately.

[quote type\u003d\! Ukraine needs international support and protection. You paid for this with a sports dream, but for us, Ukrainians, it was you who became the real champion and winner. Thank you! " [/quote].

Igor Kostyuk noted in his address that the athlete’s act is important for Ukraine:.

[quote type\u003d" This is more than just a position, it is a sporting feat"

Team captain Vitaly Buyalsky also expressed support for Geraskevich, emphasizing that for many Ukrainians he became an example of integrity.

The players of the capital's Lokomotiv club also joined in supporting Vladislav Geraskevich.. The players recorded a video message against the background of the stadium destroyed as a result of Russian shelling, in which they expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian Olympians.

[quote type\u003d" Respect for the fallen is not politics. This is humanity," [/quote].

The players also noted that they personally experienced the loss due to the war.

[quote type\u003d" The price of football, the price of children's laughter. We experienced this loss ourselves,” the players said. At the end of the appeal, the team declared its support for athletes who defend the dignity of Ukrainian sports. [/quote].

International athletes also joined the discussion. Two-time Olympic champion in skeleton Lizzie Yarnold from Great Britain said that the IOC should apologize to the Ukrainian athlete.

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[quote type\u003d" There is shock and misunderstanding. I think the IOC should apologize. It was the wrong decision. He was also a medal contender. He's a phenomenal athlete," [/quote].

Former gymnast Anna Bessonova and Olympic fencing champion Yana Shemyakina also responded to the disqualification of Vladislav Geraskevich on social networks.

In parallel with official statements, support for Vladislav Geraskevich is also spreading on social networks.

In particular, in Threads, users from Ukraine and other countries massively publish posts in support of the athlete.

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Earlier it was reported that the head of the Ukrainian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, Mikhail Geraskevich, reacted emotionally to the disqualification of his son Vladislav. During the meeting of the Ukrainian athlete with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, photographers caught Mikhail Geraskevich, who could not hold back his tears.