IOC suggests Olympian Heraskevych use black band instead of helmet with photos of deceased Ukrainian athletes

The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC) has received a response from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding an appeal about the use of a "helmet of memory" by Ukrainian skeleton athlete and flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych at the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, in which the IOC proposes the athlete use a black armband instead of the helmet.

"The IOC confirmed that it understands the athlete’s desire to honor the memory of fallen Ukrainian athletes. At the same time, it banned the use of personalized equipment during competitions, as it does not comply with the guiding principles of the Olympic Charter, which provide for the neutrality of equipment and the inadmissibility of political or other messages during competitions. The IOC proposed an alternative - the use of a black armband or ribbon without personalization. To support athletes, a special place of mourning has also been created and access to prayer rooms in the Olympic Villages has been provided," the statement said.

The NOC also announced a press conference with Heraskevych’s participation on Tuesday evening in the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo, near the Olympic rings.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the ban on using the helmet unjust, thanked Heraskevych for his position and stated that he would insist on a review of the IOC decision.

"The helmet of memory cannot be banned; there is nothing political about paying tribute to Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia. These crimes cannot be silenced - just as the truth does not disappear even if you close your eyes to it. We insist on a fair final decision by the IOC," the head of Ukraine’s foreign ministry wrote on X.

Earlier, the IOC stated that the athlete wore the