{"id":1356971,"date":"2026-02-12T15:13:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/the-olympic-movement-should-not-play-along-with-the-aggressor-zelensky-criticized-geraskevych-s-disqualification\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T15:13:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:13:37","slug":"the-olympic-movement-should-not-play-along-with-the-aggressor-zelensky-criticized-geraskevych-s-disqualification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/the-olympic-movement-should-not-play-along-with-the-aggressor-zelensky-criticized-geraskevych-s-disqualification\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe Olympic movement should not play along with the aggressor\u201d: Zelensky criticized Geraskevych\u2019s disqualification"},"content":{"rendered":"

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Geraskevych from the 2026 Olympics. The head of state stated that such a decision contradicts the principles of the Olympic movement and supported the athlete’s position.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He wrote about this in Telegram<\/a> .<\/p>\n

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that sport should not ignore the events of war and should contribute to the cessation of armed conflicts. According to him, the IOC’s decision regarding the Ukrainian athlete does not comply with the basic principles of the Olympic movement.<\/p>\n

“Sport does not mean forgetfulness, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play along with the aggressor. Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Geraskevych says otherwise. This is definitely not about the principles of Olympism, which are based on justice and maintaining peace,” said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.<\/p>\n

The President thanked the athlete for his position and noted that the use of a helmet with portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes is a manifestation of memory and respect.<\/p>\n

“I thank our athlete for his clear position. His helmet with portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes is about honor and memory. It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and what the price of the fight for independence is. And there is no violation of any rule in this,” he said.<\/p>\n

The Head of State also stated that Russia systematically violates Olympic principles during the Games, citing examples of armed conflicts in different years.<\/p>\n

“It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles and uses the time of the Olympics for war. In 2008 – the war against Georgia, in 2014 – the occupation of Crimea, in 2022 – a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And now, in 2026, despite numerous calls for a ceasefire for the duration of the Winter Olympics – complete disregard from Russia and an increase in missile and drone strikes on our energy sector and our people,” the President of Ukraine said.<\/p>\n

Zelensky said that 660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed in the full-scale war, and many athletes have lost the opportunity to participate in international competitions. He also said that 13 Russian athletes are participating in the 2026 Olympics, competing under neutral flags.<\/p>\n

“660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches were killed by Russia during a full-scale war. Hundreds of our athletes will never again be able to participate in the Olympic Games or any other international competitions. But at the same time, 13 Russians are now in Italy and participating in the Olympics. At the Olympic Games, they are under “neutral” flags, but in life they publicly support Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they deserve disqualification,” he said.<\/p>\n

The President of Ukraine emphasized that he supports Vladyslav Geraskevych and his position.<\/p>\n

“We are proud of Vladyslav and his act. Having courage is more than having medals,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n

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