Statement by IOC President Kirsty Coventry following her meeting with Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych

Following the meeting, President Coventry spoke to the media and said:

“I felt that it was really important to come and talk to him face to face.

Athletes asked us to keep certain areas – the field of play, the podium and the Olympic Village – safe zones. How could we keep them safe in order to not be asked to use the field of play or the podium for something that they didn’t agree with?

No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of memory.

It’s not about the messaging; it’s literally about the rules and the regulations. In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed.

We could find ways where we can pay homage to his message, to his helmet, before he races. And sadly, we’ve not been able to come to that solution.

We have these rules in place to try and be fair, and also to try and allow for us to do both things: to allow for athletes to express themselves, but also to allow for athletes to be safe.

For me, I was not speaking to him in that room as a president. I’m speaking to him as an athlete. I really wanted to see him race today.”

On an exceptional basis, after the very respectful conversation with the athlete, Coventry asked the IOC Disciplinary Commission (DC) Chair to re-consider the withdrawal of Vladyslav Heraskevych’s accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. The Chair of the IOC DC agreed to the request, which means Mr Heraskevych can continue to be at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games despite not being able to compete.