Shock "What do you mean the faces of the dead" Ukrainian hero who stuck to his helmet, deprived of his ID card 30 minutes before the game... 父, too, sobbing [the scene of Milan]

*This content was translated by AI.

Vladislav Heraskevich (27) of the skeleton at the '2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics' was given a shocking disqualification. stick to wearing a helmet in memory of its citizens killed in Russia's invasion He was deprived of his ID card by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Britain's "The Sun" reported on the 12th (local time) that "Ukraine's skeleton star Heraskevich was abruptly kicked out of the Olympics for wearing a helmet with an anti-Russian message."

The IOC announced on the same day that "Heraskevich was banned from participating in the 2026 Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo Winter Olympics because he did not comply with the IOC athletes' freedom of expression guidelines." The first and second periods of skeleton will be held on the 12th, and the third and fourth periods will be held on the 13th. However, "disqualified" was marked next to Heraskevich's name on the roster.

Heraskevich ran the track wearing a so-called "Remembrance Helmets" during the training session of the tournament. The helmets featured the faces of compatriots, including former sportsmen and children, who died after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The IOC immediately put the brakes on. The IOC reportedly asked Heraskevich to "comply with the rules prohibiting political expression within the game area, although memorials are available before and after the game." In the process, the IOC held talks with the athletes in Cortina and proposed a compromise to wear a 'black armband' instead of a helmet.

Heraskevich, however, flatly refused, saying, "There is no compromise." He brought only one helmet to Italy and confirmed in writing his intention to wear the helmet during an equipment inspection by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) on Wednesday.

In the end, the catastrophe happened in the morning just 30 minutes before the start of the first period of men's skeleton. After several face-to-face meetings with Chairman Kirsty Coventry and others in attendance, the IOC decided to retrieve Heraskevich's Olympic ID card.

"The essence of the issue lies not in the message itself, but in 'where' he tried to express it," the IOC said, stressing that it allowed expressions outside the stadium, including the mixed zone. This is a measure based on Article 50 (2) of the Olympic Charter (prohibition of political, religious, and racial propaganda in Olympic venues).

The scene was shocked and saddened. Heraskevich's father and coach, Mykhailo Heraskevich, was seen sobbing after hearing the news of his exit. The athlete, who was close to the medal table with the fastest record in training runs, had to pack just before the start of the game.

The response from fellow players and the skeleton world is also cold. British two-time Olympic champion and legend Lizzie Yanold strongly criticized the IOC's decision in an interview with the BBC, calling it "shock and confusion itself."

Janold said, "The fact that he took away his ID card means he has to leave the Olympics now," adding, "It was wrong to make this decision even though it was an act of memorial service that was very important to him emotionally. Rather, the IOC should apologize to him," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.