🇮🇹 The speech that all of Italy heard. And that the world must hear.
In a country that will host the Olympic Games, Italian Senator and Vice President of the Human Rights Commission Filippo Sensi took the floor and said what should have been said out loud long ago.
He called it a disgrace that the International Olympic Committee disqualified Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych.
Not for doping.
Not for violating fair play.
But for… memory.
For a helmet bearing the faces of Ukrainian athletes — his friends, colleagues, champions — killed by Russia.
The IOC stated that the helmet “did not comply with regulations.”
And then Sensi asked a question that brought silence to the chamber:
Does aggressive war comply with regulations?
Is there a separate technical protocol for it?
The correct angle of a missile strike?
The permissible size of a crater?
An athlete prepares for the Olympics for years.
A Ukrainian athlete trains between air raid sirens, in shelters, under news of the dead.
He overcomes fear, exhaustion, and loss.
And he steps to the start line not only for a medal — but for the right to exist.
And he is suspended… for remembering.
Because memory is the most dangerous substance. It is hard to add to a prohibited list. But apparently, someone would very much like to.
The senator named names. Just a few among more than 650 Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia:
▪️ Yevhenii Malyshev, 19, biathlete — killed in Kharkiv.
▪️ Mariia Lebid, 15 — missile strike in Dnipro.
▪️ Dmytro Sharpar, 25, figure skater — killed in Bakhmut.
▪️ Volodymyr Androsiuk, 22, track and field athlete — also Bakhmut.
▪️ Daria Kurdel, 20 — missile strike in Kharkiv.
▪️ Alina Perehutova, 14 — standing in line for water with her mother in Mariupol.
▪️ Maksym Halinichev, 22, boxer — killed defending Luhansk region.
▪️ Viktoriia Ivashko, 9, judoka — missile strike in Kyiv.
▪️ Kateryna Diachenko, 11, gymnast — airstrike on Mariupol.
▪️ Karina Bakur, 17, world kickboxing champion — shielded her father with her body.
These were the faces Heraskevych wanted to carry with him to the start line.
So that they would “compete” alongside him.
So that their dream would not die with them.
And for that, he was punished.
Because it turns out that the faces of murdered athletes violate regulations.
But their absence on the track does not.
In his speech, Sensi said the most important thing:
The Olympic Committee did not lose an athlete.
It lost its most valuable medal — its conscience.
Sport without memory is just a show.
Sport without humanity is just decoration.
Sport that fears truth is not about peace.
The Olympic movement was born from the ideals of honor, dignity, and unity.
Yet today Ukrainian athletes must prove not only their strength — but their right to remember their fallen.
And if memory becomes a violation of regulations — then the problem is not the helmet.
The world must hear this.
Because silence is also a position.
And indifference is also a choice.
Memory cannot be disqualified.
And conscience cannot be added to a prohibited list.
🇺🇦 We remember every one of them.
And we will not allow their names to be erased.
Hey @TalkTalk Why is my mum getting this message when she tries to connect to the internet? She pays her DD every month but it says her account is zero. She’s tried to call but no human being to speak to 🤷♀️
An anonymous Chester restaurant offered to feed everyone who was sleeping rough across the City of Chester on Christmas Day today!
Today was a heartwarming reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support those in need. Volunteers from the Chester ShareShop @shareshopsuk were contacted by the owner of a well known Chester independent restaurant earlier this week, offering to feed everyone who was homeless or sleeping rough across the City on Christmas Day itself.
A number of our team agreed to join forces with the incredible team at the restaurant. Together, with the owner and his family, we were delighted to welcome our guests and serve them with a full Christmas Dinner plus all the trimmings, ensuring no one went hungry.
The atmosphere was buzzing with music, energy and goodwill, as volunteers and staff worked side by side, sharing laughs and stories while making a tangible difference. Once everyone had been fed, the leftover meals were thoughtfully packed into takeaway boxes, ready to be delivered to others still in need across Chester.
A huge thank you to the team at the Indian restaurant nearby, who stepped in to help when we found ourselves short on takeaway tubs. Despite being open for just two weeks, Biryani Mama didn’t hesitate to donate all the boxes we needed to keep the food fresh and ready to go. Your generosity embodies the true spirit of community, and we’re so grateful for your support!
As the afternoon wrapped up, our team walked through the city, delivering meals to anyone still out on the streets or in a local shelter. One of our friends who is homeless, was even offered a job going forward ❤️ It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—and why we need your help to keep going.
If you’ve been thinking about giving back in the new year, now’s the perfect time to get involved. Volunteering with SHARE is more than just helping out—it’s about connecting with others, making a difference, and spreading hope in our city. Whether you can spare an hour, a day, or more, your time and kindness can literally change people’s lives for the better.
Join us and be part of this incredible movement of love and support in Chester. Together, we can make sure no one is forgotten. Drop us a message or pop into the ShareShop to learn more about how you can get involved! Or register to volunteer here: https://t.co/82zGWBsyjS
@matildewarden Congratulations! I had my very first interview at Belper School 34 years ago. I didn’t get that job but got the next one - at Derby Moor 😊
@ChrisHillidge As a PE teacher for the past 30 years I teach GCSE and A Level. Both include a great deal of scientific knowledge in order to teach the physiology and biomechanics - neither could be taught without a level of mathematical understanding.