Sports2/12/2026The Guardian

‘It’s emptiness’: banned Ukrainian athlete accuses IOC of fuelling Russia’s propaganda

‘It’s emptiness’: banned Ukrainian athlete accuses IOC of fuelling Russia’s propaganda

The article discusses the controversial decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing in the Winter Games. Heraskevych had planned to wear a "helmet of memory" during the competition to honor Ukraine's war dead, but the IOC rescinded his accreditation just minutes before he was set to compete. Heraskevych has accused the IOC of "fuelling Russia's propaganda" by making this decision, calling it a "terrible mistake." He argues that the IOC's actions are effectively doing the work of Russian propaganda by suppressing a Ukrainian athlete's right to express support for his country during a time of war. The article suggests that this decision is one of the most controversial in recent Olympic history, highlighting the tensions and complexities surrounding political expression at the Games.

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