Global Rights Compliance ( GRC An international legal foundation and legal practice founded in 2013, specializing in international humanitarian, criminal and human rights law. ) has expressed deep concern over the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Geraskevych from competing in a helmet with images of deceased Ukrainian athletes at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games.
This is stated in the statement of the organization.
The IOC revoked Geraskevych's accreditation, citing alleged violations of the Olympic Charter and the rules on athletes' statements. However, as the GRC notes, these rules are applied selectively.
In particular, at least four Russian athletes were able to participate in the Games despite obvious displays of support for Russia's invasion, and Italian snowboarder Roland Fischnaller was allowed to compete wearing a helmet with a Russian flag.
“The IOC must respect human rights. Once again, Russian athletes who violated the rules of neutrality, or their supporters, are being welcomed with open arms. At the very least, the IOC owes the world an explanation as to why Russia and the alleged perpetrators are being given priority over Ukraine and its thousands of victims. More likely, the IOC needs serious policy changes to truly fulfill its international human rights obligations,” says GRC President Wayne Jordash.
The department emphasized that the IOC's decision contradicts the principles of equal treatment and international law, an obligation to which the organization must adhere as a commercial entity.
The GRC emphasizes that Geraskevych intends to appeal the IOC's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the IOC must explain its double standards and why a safe environment for Ukrainian athletes is a lower priority than for Russian representatives.
“Once again, Russian athletes who violated the rules of neutrality are welcomed with open arms. Once again, Ukrainian athletes are seen as an obstacle to Russia's long tradition of “sportswashing” of criminal actions. The IOC's inconsistent application of speech rules suggests that Geraskevych should not have been banned from competing in his helmet,” the GRC added.