Elina Svitolina Slams IOC as 'Disgrace to World Sport' After Controversial Olympic Disqualification

Tennis Star Svitolina Blasts IOC Over Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete's Disqualification at Winter Olympics

© AFP

Arthur Millot

le 13/02/2026 à 18h22

1 min to read

Kostyuk Marta Svitolina Elina

At 27 years old, Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

This came after he refused to remove his helmet, which displayed photos of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed since the start of the Russian invasion.

Despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) formal ban, he maintained his stance:

"It's not fair. I am convinced I have not violated any Olympic charter... I will wear my helmet on race day," he stated.

For its part, the Olympic committee responded that the athlete had refused "to accept the IOC's rules on athlete expression."

They had instead offered him the option to wear a black armband.

Svitolina Reacts: 'A Disgrace to World Sport'

On Instagram, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina did not hesitate to react and attacked the IOC: "The IOC has entered the history of shame in world sport."

Alongside her, her compatriot Marta Kostyuk also showed her support: "We are with you! Thank youuu."

A Precedent at the Winter Games

Finally, this is not the first time Heraskevych has defied Olympic rules to send a message.

During the 2022 Winter Olympics, he had held up a banner reading "No to war in Ukraine."

At the time, no sanctions were imposed.