"Vladyslav Heraskevych of the Ukrainian skeleton sled racing team was disqualified from competing in the Olympic Games this week because of what was on his helmet. Not some profane slogan or cartoon, but images of the faces of Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I believe they deserve to be here because of their sacrifice," he told reporters. "I want to honor them and I want to honor their families.""
""What do you consider as 'expression'?" Heraskevych told reporters. "Many athletes here have helmets with different paints and I believe it's also a kind of expression. Some athletes have national symbols, it's also an expression." IOC President Kirsty Coventry came out to the practice track to deliver her decision to Vladyslav Heraskevych personally and she spoke to reporters through tears. "No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging," she said."
Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for wearing a helmet bearing portraits of Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed during Russia's invasion. He stated the images honored their sacrifice and families. The International Olympic Committee determined the helmet violated guidelines against political speech, referring to such displays as "athlete expression." Heraskevych questioned the boundaries of expression, noting other athletes' helmets and national symbols as forms of expression. IOC President Kirsty Coventry personally delivered the decision and said she did not disagree with the message but that no field-of-play solution could be found. A wartime memory recalls a 1994 peace-themed skating performance watched by a besieged city.
Read at www.npr.org
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