“Sport not beyond conscience”: Budanov slams Heraskevych disqualification

Head of the Presidential Office and former Defence Intelligence Chief, Kyrylo Budanov commented on a major scandal at the Olympic Games, where the International Olympic Committee disqualified Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who wore a “helmet of remembrance” featuring images of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia.

Budanov posted about the incident on social media.

He stressed that commemorating fallen Ukrainian defenders is not against any rules and deserves respect.

“Paying tribute to the fallen defenders and innocent victims of Russian aggression is the least we can do. Thanks to the sacrifices of Ukrainians, the Olympic Games are held under a peaceful European sky. It is important to tell the truth,” Budanov said.

He expressed his gratitude to Vladyslav Heraskevych for his principled position and bravery.

“Sport can stay separate from politics, but it can never be separate from conscience, honour, and dignity,” the head of the Presidential Office concluded.