Hero or Hoodie? Bubka’s Medal-Worthy Wardrobe Under Fire

Source: Author’s Facebook page

The debate over Vladyslav Geraskevych’s proposal to strip Serhiy Bubka of the title of Hero of Ukraine has sparked surprising controversy, revealing a deep confusion of concepts. Critics of the initiative typically defend Bubka by comparing the athletes’ achievements and meticulously cataloging the awards of the former world record holder.

However, it is worth realizing that the subject of the dispute is not sports achievements but a fundamental civic position. The fact that Mr. Bubka has effectively severed ties with his own state is a sad but undeniable reality. The activities of the Bubok family business in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region are equally obvious.

Life outside the context of war

The former outstanding athlete left Ukraine in the fall of 2022, not yet 60 years old. Today, he lives in his own estate in France and works in the IOC structures. It is noteworthy that he did not voice any protests against the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the international arena under their national flags.
Records and Olympic gold do not automatically make a person a patriot. The examples of some champions who later changed their citizenship to Russian or distanced themselves from Ukraine’s interests only confirm this point. One can be proud of an athlete’s achievements only when they identify with the country that raised them. Unfortunately, this does not apply to Serhiy Bubka today.

Questions for the law enforcement system
A separate issue is the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. The SBU investigation into the Bubka family’s business, announced back in 2023, has yet to produce any results. This is reminiscent of other high-profile cases:

• Lack of real steps regarding the anti-Ukrainian activities of the Russian special services agent with the call sign “Kazbek”;
• Ignoring questions from former SBU head Ivan Bakanov.

The public, media, and politicians have every right to demand a report from the SBU. If the facts of cooperation with the occupiers are confirmed, this should result not in formal “after-the-fact” proceedings but in specific criminal cases and court sentences.

If guilt is legally proven, the question of whether one should hold Ukraine’s highest state award becomes irrelevant—it will no longer be open to debate.

As a reminder, Ukrainian skeletonist Vladyslav Geraskevych, who was not allowed to perform at the Olympic Games wearing a “memory helmet,” called for Sergey Bubka to be stripped of the title of Hero of Ukraine. According to him, Bubka is “playing along with Russia” and “destroying Ukraine”—trading with the occupiers and allowing Russian flags in the organization he heads.

As is well known, the International Olympic Committee suspended Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Geraskevych from competition because he intended to wear a “memory helmet” featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes who died in Russia’s war against Ukraine. In doing so, the IOC revealed double standards, including in its treatment of Geraskevych himself.

Despite an IOC ban, Vladyslav Geraskevych went out to train on the Olympic track wearing a “memory helmet” with images of athletes who died during the war with Russia. The IOC banned him from using this helmet in competitive events, and before making its decision, it noted that the athlete’s equipment “does not comply with the rules.”

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