Overview
- Short-tracker Oleg Gandey became the third Ukrainian told to change his helmet, following freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar and skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych.
- The International Skating Union ruled that Gandey’s helmet, which carried a Lina Kostenko quote, constituted a political slogan and barred it for competition.
- The IOC told Heraskevych his portrait-adorned “helmet of memory” violates regulations but offered a black ribbon as a permitted memorial.
- IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the helmet could be displayed in press and mixed zones and noted that further discussions with Heraskevych are planned.
- Ukraine’s sports minister alleged double standards in enforcement, and the armed forces and president publicly backed athletes seeking to commemorate the war dead.