Lithuania has condemned a choice by the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych for utilizing a "helmet of remembrance".

Supply: European Pravda

Particulars: President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda praised the athlete's braveness in a submit on social media platform X (Twitter), noting that the reminiscence of those that had been killed will stay perpetually.

"We’re happy with you, Vladyslav Heraskevych, to your braveness in displaying the true face of warfare on the 2026 Olympics. Glory to the heroes!" he wrote.

Lithuanian Overseas Minister Kęstutis Budrys, in flip, described the choice by the Worldwide Olympic Committee as despicable.

Quote: "Remembrance of fallen Ukrainian athletes shouldn’t be a violation. The helmet reveals faces, not slogans – a human tribute to the Ukrainian sportsmen killed in Russia's warfare, one which needs to be revered, not silenced or banned.

The IOC's choice to ban this tribute is a despicable transfer, unworthy to uphold the spirit of sport."

Extra particulars: Prime Minister of Lithuania Inga Ruginienė additionally criticised the choice.

"The IOC's choice to bar Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing is deeply disappointing and basically unfair," she said.

Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, expressed solidarity with Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Help for the Ukrainian athlete following the IOC choice was additionally expressed by Minister of Overseas Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna.

Dace Melbārde, Minister of Schooling and Science of Latvia, despatched an official letter to the IOC calling for cancellation of the choice to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych over the "helmet of remembrance".

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