"ending a three-day saga where Heraskevych knew he was risking being pulled from the Games by wearing the helmet, one that the IOC says bans rules against making statements on the field of play. He received written word Thursday from the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, which said his decision to wear the helmet was inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression."
"I believe, deeply, the IBSF and IOC understand that I'm not violating any rules, Heraskevych said. Also, I would say (it's) painful that it really looks like discrimination because many athletes already were expressing themselves. They didn't face the same things. So, suddenly, just the Ukrainian athlete in this Olympic Games will be disqualified for the helmet. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who was slated to be in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Thursday to see Alpine skiing, went to the sliding center instead to meet Heraskevych."
Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from competition roughly 45 minutes before his skeleton race after he refused an IOC request to change a helmet that honors more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation told him his helmet violated the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression. He had worn the helmet in training, and the IOC offered concessions such as a black armband or showing the helmet off the ice. Heraskevych called the decision painful and discriminatory. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met him privately at the sliding center.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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