Ukrainian Skeleton Skater Vladyslav Heraskevych Honored for Tribute to Fallen Athletes

Ukrainian Skeleton Skater Vladyslav Heraskevych Honored for Tribute to Fallen Athletes

Ukrainian skeleton skater Vladyslav Heraskevych made headlines during the Olympics when he wore a helmet adorned with images of 24 deceased Ukrainian athletes and coaches who lost their lives in the war against Russia. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) initially considered the helmet to be a political statement, which is against Olympic rules, but later cleared Heraskevych. Despite the controversy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored Heraskevych with the Order of Freedom medal for his actions.

Zelenskyy praised Heraskevych for his courage and dedication to honoring the memory of the fallen athletes. The president emphasized the importance of Ukrainians who uphold the truth and remember those who have been affected by Russian aggression. In a meeting with Heraskevych, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the skater's bravery and unwavering stance. The president's message concluded with a resounding declaration of "Glory be to Ukraine!"