Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete Banned from Olympics Speaks at United Nations
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton racer, found himself shunned by the Olympic movement only to receive an unexpected invitation to the United Nations. The athlete, who was prohibited from competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, shared his story on a panel at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, detailing his unwavering commitment to his principles.
Olympic Ban Over Tribute Helmet
The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation barred Heraskevych from the Olympics due to his plan to wear a helmet honouring Ukrainians killed following Russia's invasion. The federation deemed this action inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and guidelines on athlete expression. Despite offers to wear a black armband or display the helmet off the ice, Heraskevych's insistence led to his exclusion from competition.
"I think it's important that we use this stage and talk about important things," Heraskevych stated during the opening ceremony of the Change the World Model United Nations, an educational simulation for thousands of students. "Sometimes it feels like, in all these hours of training, we really forgot about the overall mission of sports. It is not only about the medals, but it's also about values that we represent."
UN Panel and Shared Stories
Heraskevych was invited to participate in a panel alongside Shiva Amini, a former Iranian women's soccer player now living in exile in New York. Amini was granted asylum in Switzerland in 2017 after facing threats from the Iranian government for playing soccer with men without wearing the mandatory hijab. Their stories highlighted the broader role of sports in society.
"We can save lives with sport," Heraskevych emphasised from the stage. "Sport gave people some hope." During the session, the names of the Ukrainian athletes and coaches memorialised on Heraskevych's helmet were read aloud, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Post-Olympic Endeavours and Future Plans
Since the Olympics, Heraskevych has remained active, leading a foundation with his father to support people and groups in Ukraine. Their efforts focus on providing generators amid widespread blackouts and a fragile power grid. Additionally, Heraskevych is exploring ways to honour the individuals featured on his helmet and using his physics background to address war-related challenges in Ukraine.
He also aims to promote Ukrainian culture globally, wearing a traditional embroidered shirt, or vyshyvanka, during his UN appearance and planning to showcase Ukrainian cuisine worldwide. "My goal is to get support and get awareness for Ukraine," Heraskevych explained, "and not only about the war in Ukraine."
No Regrets Over Decision
Reflecting on his choice to wear the helmet despite the risk of being barred, Heraskevych affirmed he has no regrets. "I believe I had the full right to wear this helmet, and to me, not wearing it would be like a betraying of my principles," he said. "The people pictured on the helmet were victims of the war. It's not right to betray them, too. ... No, these people sacrificed their lives. They were not afraid. It's not right to betray them. So, I don't feel any regret. I regret that I could not participate, but it was not my fault."
Looking ahead, Heraskevych intends to continue his sliding career, competing in World Cup races, including one at the Cortina d'Ampezzo track he missed last month, and aims for the 2030 Olympics. The UN invitation, he noted with a smile, was a surprising addition to his journey. "It wasn't part of my bucket list," he admitted, underscoring the unexpected turn his advocacy has taken.
