11 February 2026, 13:30
According to the instructions of the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko the members of the Committee on Youth and Sports developed and submitted for consideration to the Parliament a draft of Resolution on an Appeal to IOC (registration № 15027).
Today Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the law as a basis and in general with 286 votes being in favour.
The draft of the Appeal says that on February 9th 2026 International Olympic Committee forbid Vladyslav Heraskevych to perform at the Winter Olympics in a helmet depicting the portraits of over twenty fallen Ukrainians athletes killed by russia. The text of the Appeal lists all of the athletes portrayed on a helmet – Defenders of Ukraine who were opposing the military aggression of russian federation against Ukraine as well as children killed by russian rockets, bombs, missiles and bullets.
Verkhovna Rada fully supports the actions of Vladyslav Heraskevych as a sign of honour for the memory not only of Ukrainian athletes but all Ukrainian citizens who became the victims of the bloody, illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable armed aggression of russian federation against the Ukrainian nation. Verkhovna Rada considers IOS’s decision to be unfair and views it as factual evidence of support for the aggressor.
The Parliament also does not support the statement about political connotation of the issue about the use of portraits of deceased athletes on a helmet, whereas the aggressor state – russian federation – and its satellite – the republic of belarus – is gradually being granted access to the increasing number of sporting competitions and the question of using their official nationals symbols on such events is being considered.
In the Appeal Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine encourages IOS to:
allow all Ukrainian athletes to use symbols honouring the memory of the victims of russian aggression against Ukraine;
revoke the decision about admission of russian and belorussian athletes to international sporting competitions, including reconsideration of previous decision about their admission to international sporting youth competitions under their own flags.