The Minister of Sports of Ukraine, Matvii Bidnyistated that the declassification of Vladyslav Heraskevych in the skeleton race Milan-Cortina Winter Games It was “unfair”, but it guaranteed that the team will continue in the competition.
in Cortina d’Ampezzo, on Thursday (12),
which tried to negotiate a last-minute deal, claimed that the item violated rules prohibiting demonstrations and political slogans in competition areas.
Bidnyi told Reuters. According to him, the helmet did not contain party symbols or references to political leaders. “He used images of our national heroes, athletes killed by Russia. We are only here because our defenders die every day. Why can’t we honor them?”
The minister also criticized the requirement for neutrality. “How can you be neutral when someone kills your friends?” he said.
Despite the difficulties of preparation in the midst of war, Ukraine sent the largest delegation to the Winter Games since 2010, with 46 athletes. Bidnyi ruled out any possibility of a boycott. “Why boycott? In my opinion, this decision damages the IOC’s reputation more than Vladyslav Heraskevych, who is already a hero to the Ukrainian people,” he declared.
After the Russian invasion in 2022, although some were allowed to compete as neutrals. Authorities from both countries classify the restrictions as discriminatory and politically motivated, arguing that sport should remain separate from international conflicts.
A former bodybuilder, Bidnyi stated that sport can play an important role in the search for peace and asked the IOC and international federations not to ease the sanctions imposed on Russia.
