Milan-Cortina, Minister for Sport Kiev: ‘The IOC is hypocritical, no propaganda but memory’

Milan, 13 February (LaPresse) – ‘The IOC’s attitude is deeply hypocritical. In recent days, they have ignored a Russian flag (which is prohibited) attached to another athlete’s helmet. Instead, they have focused on the discrimination against one of our athletes.’ This was stated by Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Vladyslav Heraskevych, the disqualified skeleton racer, ‘had every right to compete with that helmet’ bearing the faces of athletes who died in the war with Russia. “There is no rule prohibiting images of this kind. And this is not political propaganda. It was a gesture of remembrance. A remembrance of those who lost their lives. A personal expression, an intimate feeling. Every Ukrainian who has lost someone in the war feels similar pain. The IOC’s decision is not even justified by its own rules. Its sole purpose is to prevent any form of free expression. They are prohibiting Ukrainian athletes from saying that they love their homeland,” added the minister.