Zelenskyy rewards skeletonist Heraskevych for courage after Olympic suspension
Photo: Vladyslav Heraskevych, skeleton athlete (Getty Images)
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has awarded Ukrainian skeletonist Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with the Order of Freedom, according to the relevant decree from the head of state.
Read also: Ukraine slams IOC over athlete Heraskevych suspension
According to the decree, Heraskevych Vladyslav Mykhailovych, a member of the Ukrainian national Olympic team and skeleton athlete, is awarded the Order of Freedom.
The document specifies that the Ukrainian athlete received this honor for devoted service to the Ukrainian people, civic courage, and patriotism in defending the ideals of freedom and democratic values.
The scandal with Heraskevych
Heraskevych arrived at the 2026 Olympics wearing a “memory helmet” displaying photographs of over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who died as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) interpreted this gesture as political propaganda, citing Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits any political or religious messages at sporting venues.
The decision to disqualify Heraskevych was made on the morning of February 12, immediately before his first run.
Before and on the day of the competition, the IOC leadership attempted to find a compromise: the athlete was offered to cover the images on the helmet, wear a black band instead, or display the helmet only after the finish in the mixed zone for the press.
However, Heraskevych refused these conditions, emphasizing that honoring the memory of the deceased is not political propaganda and that the helmet was custom-made for him. Replacing it before the start would have reduced his speed.
