AJ
Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified by the International Olympic Committee due to Vladyslav’s continued attempts to use headwear with photos of deceased Ukrainian Olympians depicted.
“I still believe that we did not violate any rules and had every right to compete in this helmet on an equal footing with other athletes who did the same in previous days of these Olympic Games,” Vladyslav explained.
Vladyslav continued: “I didn’t receive any explanation about the Russian flag, why sanctions weren’t applied, why the skier is allowed to compete with a message to a deceased teammate, but we’re not,” noting that the document also stated that: “I publicly announced that these are victims of war, although, of course, when you look at the helmet, it’s not clear – the helmet does not carry a political context, so I believe I had every right to compete.”
“There are serious doubts about the arguments put forward by Massi Conventry that they support Ukraine and are in solidarity with Ukraine – especially after this decision.”
Vladyslav said: “The tone was adequate, there was no scandal – she suggested that we could show it at the start, but I would race in a different helmet and then it would be provided to me in the mixed zone, but I believe I should have the same rights as other athletes in other sports from other countries – for some reason, I did not receive such rights.”
In closing, Vladyslav said: “We paid the price for our dignity, and I defended the interests of Ukraine and the memory of the athletes. What’s next? It just happened and it’s hard to say. Probably, we will prepare a lawsuit in the CAS and continue to fight for our rights, because I believe that we did not violate any rules.”
