Olympic chiefs have got it badly wrong over Heraskevych ban and owe him an apology | Lizzy Yarnold

"I'm deeply saddened by the IOC banning skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Winter Olympics. His helmet depicting images of athletes and children who died in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some who he knew personally, was a human display of remembrance. The IOC's response was not an appropriate one. One only needed to look at the image of Heraskevych's father when he was told the news of his son's disqualification doubled over with his head in his hands to know the emotional toll."

"I cannot imagine what they are experiencing but, as both a former athlete and a just a fan watching on, I also feel emotional about it and cried when both Vlad and his dad messaged me on social media to say thank you for my messages of support. Heraskevych has taken his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but the damage has been done."

"Amid the controversy and the wider issues, it is easy to forget that sport has also suffered. Heraskevych was a genuine medal hope for Ukraine and has worked his entire life to be here. Nobody has won from this situation, the IOC is now under intense scrutiny while Heraskevych has had his Olympic dream taken away. The IOC are obviously worried about the potential chaos if they did not protect the field of play but the messaging has been confusing."

Vladyslav Heraskevych wore a helmet depicting athletes and children who died in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some known personally to him. The IOC banned him from competition for the helmet, causing visible emotional toll on his family and supporters. Heraskevych appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The ban removed a genuine medal hope for Ukraine and drew intense scrutiny toward the IOC. IOC president Kirsty Coventry showed visible distress during negotiations while spokesperson Mark Adams defended a hardline, apolitical stance, warning against selective protests. The IOC had allowed the helmet in practice and offered a compromise of a black armband for competition.

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