Vladyslav Heraskevych (Photo: Athlete's Facebook account)

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has appealed to the International Olympic Committee to support Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Geraskevych. The athlete is training and plans to compete at the 2026 Olympic Games in a "helmet of memory" dedicated to the fallen Ukrainian athletes. The appeal has already registered in the parliament.

The reason for the appeal was the IOC's ban on using a helmet with photos of dead Ukrainian athletes during training. The document decided 268 people's deputies.

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The parliamentarians call on the IOC to allow all Ukrainian athletes to use symbols that honor the victims of Russian aggression.

The explanatory note states that the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has officially stated that this helmet "fully complies with the IOC safety requirements and rules, does not contain advertising, political slogans or discriminatory elements, and was allowed during official training."

They also call on the IOC to cancel the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international sports competitions.

Geraskevich himself saidthat this situation "could serve as a perfect example of the term 'double standards'".

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics started on February 6 and will last until February 22. The host cities are the alpine resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan, but the competition will take place and other locations in northern Italy.
  • on February 9, 2026, Geraskevich reported that one of the IOC officials prohibits the use of a helmet with the image of athletes killed as a result of Russian aggression. Zelensky thanked the Ukrainian for "reminding the world of the cost of our struggle."
  • NOC of Ukraine appeals to the IOC to allow Ukrainian skeleton athlete Geraskevich to participate in the compete at the Olympic Games in this helmet.
  • on February 10, the IOC ruled that Geraskevich cannot wear his "memory helmet" in skeleton competitions, but can use a black armband.