Ukraine star learns appeal outcome after Winter Olympics disqualification due to helmet
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been unsuccessful in his challenge against his disqualification from the Winter Olympics. Hersakevych lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport after his helmet, which displayed images of individuals killed in the conflict with Russia, was deemed to breach regulations if worn during competition.
The slider had sought to be either reinstated into the event or permitted to complete a supervised run whilst awaiting a final ruling by CAS, and he attended a hearing in Milan on Friday morning. A sole arbitrator was appointed to examine the case as a matter of urgency as the event finishes on Friday evening but, following the hearing, they rejected the appeal.
A statement from CAS said: "The sole arbitrator, whilst fully sympathetic to Mr Heraskevych's commemoration, is bound by rules in the IOC Athlete Expression Guidelines. The sole arbitrator considers these Guidelines provide a reasonable balance between athletes' interests to express their views, and athletes' interests to receive undivided attention for their sporting performance on the field of play.
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"The sole arbitrator appointed for this matter wished to state that she is fully sympathetic to Mr Heraskevych's commemoration and to his attempt to raise awareness for the grief and devastation suffered by the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian athletes because of the war."
Heraskevych's accreditation was originally revoked before International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry stepped in to have it restored, a decision which was backed by the arbitrator.
When outlining his intention to appeal to the CAS, Heraskevych said: “I believe this Olympic Games is playing along with Russian propaganda.
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“We already saw a lot of Russian flags on a fence, on an athlete’s helmet, in the news, it's everywhere. Because it really makes a huge impact on Ukraine, I also watched Russian news to understand what's going on there.
“The IOC not allowing us to compete in this helmet was treated very well in Russia. Olympic champion [Alexander] Tikhanov said in Russian media that we are not even a nation, and we do not exist as a nation. And I believe, now, when our rights are pressed, that this situation also plays alongside this propaganda.”
“Many people told me don't do it, and that I have proved my point, but I can't betray others,” he added. "I feel emptiness. I think she [Coventry] was nervous about the situation. I want to believe that because she felt sorry. I still believe that we didn't violate any rules.”