Ukraine’s Olympic Luge Team Took A Knee To Support Their Teammate Who Was Disqualified Over His Helmet

The Ukrainian Olympic luge team took a knee in support of their teammate Vladyslav Heraskevych who was disqualified for his helmet paying tribute to Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's war in Ukraine.

After the six-person team finished competing in the luge team mixed relay at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 12, the athletes knelt down and raised their helmets into the air.

Heraskevych, a medal favorite in skeleton, was banned from competing earlier the same morning for refusing to stop wearing his helmet with photos of killed Ukrainian athletes.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had said that helmet violated its rules banning political statements and had unsuccessfully tried to change Heraskevych's mind.

Heraskevych had appealed the IOC's decision to disqualify to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but the case was dismissed.

Following his disqualification, Heraskevych was awarded the Order of Freedom by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy following his disqualification "for selfless service to the Ukrainian people, civic courage, and patriotism in upholding the ideals of freedom and democratic values."

“We are proud of Vladyslav and of what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

Two other Ukrainian team athletes also had their helmets banned by the IOC, including freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar for her "Be Brave Like Ukrainians” helmet and short track speed skater Oleh Handei, whose helmet had the sentence, "Where there is heroism, there can be no final defeat" written on it.

Ukrainian luger Olena Smaha also showed support for Heraskevych after her race on Tuesday, Feb. 10, holding up her hand to display the words “Remembrance is not a violation” written on her glove.

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