Ukrainian lugers held an event in support of Ukrainian skeletonist Vladyslav Geraskevych at the 2026 Olympic Games.
The flag bearer of the Ukrainian national team, Vladyslav Geraskevych, prepared a special helmet for his performances at the Olympic Games, which depicts the Ukrainian athletes who died as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion.
However, the International Olympic Committee banned the use of the helmet in official training and competitions. After that, the NOC of Ukraine appealed to the Olympic Committee for permission to use the “memory helmet” for Geraskevych, but the Ukrainian was only allowed to wear a black armband at the starts of the 2026 Olympics.
On Tuesday, February 10, the women's single sleigh competition took place. Two representatives of the Ukrainian national team, Olena Smaga and Yulianna Tunytska, also took part in it. On Olena Smaga's mittens during her third attempt at the 2026 Olympics, there was an inscription: “Memory is not a violation .”
Olena Smaga told Suspilne Sport about the gesture with which the luger supported Vladyslav Geraskevych against the backdrop of the IOC ban on the leader of the Ukrainian national team from competing in a “memory helmet” at the 2026 Olympics with images of athletes killed in the war.
“It was an inscription that memory cannot be banned. Memory is not politics, it cannot be banned or taken away,” Smaga explained.
“I wanted to support Vladyslav Geraskevych and his team in this way. He is incredible. This is a very strong step. He is a great guy, and we see what is happening around him now. We are very sorry that we have so little support, because this is not against the rules.”