We recommend our citizens refrain from traveling to Hungary due to the inability to guarantee their safety amid the arbitrary actions of the Hungarian authorities.
⚡️ Heraskevych makes first statement following CAS hearing.
“It was a long conversation. I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak. Our arguments were heard. We are waiting for the decision. As you can see, I am quite happy. I hope the truth prevails. I still know that I am innocent,” Heraskevych said as reported by Suspilne Sport.
Боротьба за правду триває
The fight for truth continues
За кілька хвилин розпочнеться судове слухання у Спортивному арбітражному суді (CAS). Я впевнений, що не порушував правил МОК, тому вважаю свою дискваліфікацію абсолютно неправомірною.
Я бачу всю вашу підтримку - і вона безмежно надихає мене.
In a few minutes, the hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will begin. I am confident that I did not violate any IOC rules, so I consider my disqualification absolutely unjustified.
I see all your support and it inspires me a lot.
Я пропоную завершити цей скандал.
I propose to end this scandal.
Я ніколи не хотів скандалу з МОК і я його не створював. МОК створив це своєю інтерпретацією правил, яку багато хто вважає дискримінаційною.
Хоча дії МОК дали змогу голосно говорити про українських спортсменів, які загинули, водночас сам факт скандалу відволікає величезну кількість уваги від самих змагань та від спортсменів, які в них беруть участь. Тому я вкотре пропоную завершити скандал.
Прошу:
1. Зняти заборону на використання «Шолома Пам’яті».
2. Вибачитися за тиск, створений на мене протягом останніх днів.
3. В знак солідарності з українським спортом надати електрогенератори для українських спортивних об’єктів, які щодня страждають від обстрілів.
Дуже сподіваюся на відповідь до початку змагань зі скелетону.
——
I never wanted a scandal with the IOC, and I did not create it. The IOC created it with its interpretation of the rules, which many view as discriminatory.
Although this scandal has made it possible to loudly speak about Ukrainian athletes who have been killed, at the same time the very fact of the scandal distracts a tremendous amount of attention away from the competitions themselves and from the athletes participating in them.
That is why I propose to end the scandal.
I ask:
1. Lift the ban on the use of the “Memory Helmet”.
2. Apologize for the pressure that has been put on me over the past few days.
3. As a sign of solidarity with Ukrainian sport, provide electric generators for Ukrainian sports facilities that are suffering from daily shellings.
I very much hope for a response before the start of the skeleton competitions.
I want to thank everyone for all the support we’re receiving. There really is an incredible amount of it.
For me, the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could - because they gave the most precious thing they had.
And simple respect toward them is exactly what I want to give.
Ukrainian luger Olena Smaha supported her teammate Vladyslav Heraskevych, writing on her hand:
“Remembrance is not a violation.”
Heraskevych has been wearing a helmet featuring photos of athletes killed during Russia’s invasion, but the IOC has blocked any further use of it.