The decision to disqualify Heraskevich shocked and condemned many former and current Olympic athletes.
Team GB’s two-time Olympic skeleton gold medallist Lizzie Yarnold told BBC Sport, “I think it’s quite shocking, really. There’s shock and confusion within the sliding community.
“it [wearing the helmet] It was a reaction to something that was a memorable act and incredibly important to them emotionally.
“I think the IOC should apologise to him and that it was a wrong decision.”
Two-time Olympic bobsledder John Jackson was equally unimpressed with the IOC.
Jackson, who also served as a Royal Marine commando, told the BBC: “His approach is about remembering those who have died.
“For me, being a soldier and now being a veteran, it’s really important to remember all the veterans. We’ve all lost friends and colleagues in conflict, and we all know someone who isn’t here and made the ultimate sacrifice.
“I support him in what he was trying to achieve. It’s really important to remember the people who have given their lives for something that ultimately didn’t need to happen.”
Meanwhile, Heraskevich told the BBC that being banned only left him feeling “empty”.
“Yesterday and the day before yesterday I was training well. I could have been among the medal winners in this event, but suddenly, due to some interpretations of the rules with which I do not agree, I am not able to compete,” he said.
“Expression Guidelines – What do you consider as expression? Many other people in this field have helmets of different colours, and I believe this is also a form of expression.
“Some others had national symbols; that’s also the expression. For some reason, their helmets were not checked and they were allowed to compete, but not me.
“I believe in them [those who have fallen]. Because of their sacrifice, they deserve to be here. I want to honour them and their families.”
Heraskevich’s international teammates showed their support throughout Thursday’s competition in Italy.
Alpine skier Dmytro Shepiuk displayed a note reading “Ukrainian hero with us” after the competition, while luger Olena Smaha also expressed support for Herashkevich by wearing gloves: “Remembrance is not a violation.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the IOC of “playing into the hands of Russian aggressors” after Hryaskevich’s disqualification.
“Sport should not mean forgetting, and the Olympic movement should help prevent wars, not play into the hands of the aggressors,” he wrote on X.
“Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Hrayskevich says otherwise.”
