Siberia: IOC disqualified not Geraskevich, but its own reputation

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga criticized the International Olympic Committee for disqualifying Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych because of the "memory helmet".

"The IOC disqualified not a Ukrainian athlete, but its own reputation. Future generations will remember this as a moment of shame," said the Ukrainian minister.

He emphasized that Geraskevich simply wanted to honor the memory of his fellow athletes who died in the war – and there is nothing wrong with that in terms of any rules or ethics.

"The IOC has intimidated, disrespected and even lectured our athletes and other Ukrainians about how they should keep silent about 'one of the 130 conflicts in the world,'" Sibiga emphasized .

He also criticized the IOC for systematically failing to confront the "biggest violator" of international sport and the Olympic Charter – Russia, which has launched three invasions during the Olympic Truce in the last 30 years, introduced the largest state anti-doping program, killed 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, and damaged 800 sports facilities in Ukraine.

The Minister emphasized that it is the Russians who should be banned, not the commemoration of their victims, and "none of them are neutral.".

"If the Olympic credo says that 'the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but participation,' then the IOC has completely betrayed it by not allowing Geraskevich to participate and betraying the 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed by Russia. We are proud to have Vladyslav, who did not betray them," Sibiga added .

• on February 9, Geraskevich reported that one of the IOC officials banned 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 price of our struggle.".
• The NOC of Ukraine asked the IOC to allow Geraskevich to compete at the Olympics wearing this helmet.
• On February 10, the IOC ruled that Geraskevych cannot wear his "memory helmet" in the skeleton events, but can use a black armband.
• On February 12, the IOC decided to disqualify Geraskevych because "the helmet he intended to wear did not comply with the rules".