The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, commented on the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prohibit Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from using a memorial helmet during training sessions on the Olympic track.

During his first training sessions, Vladyslav Heraskevych wore a special helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes who were killed as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to available data, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have lost their lives since the beginning of Russia’s aggression.

Commenting on the IOC’s decision, Minister Sybiha stated:

“I thank our athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych for his principled stance. The memorial helmet must not be banned; there is nothing political about honouring Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia. These crimes cannot be silenced — just as the truth does not disappear when one closes one’s eyes to it. We insist on a fair and final decision by the IOC.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasises that Russia must remain excluded from international sport as long as it continues its brutal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian athletes and coaches.