Vladyslav Heraskevych, a member of the Ukrainian men's skeleton team, holds his helmet during a press conference on February 12, 2026, in Milan, Italy, following his disqualification from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. (©Kyodo)
The ongoing Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are bringing renewed attention to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began four years ago.
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian male skeleton athlete, was disqualified from competition on February 12. He had attempted to compete in the Olympics while wearing a helmet featuring pictures of fellow Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion. Organizers claimed the helmet violated the "IOC's guidelines on athletic expression."
However, a mood of solidarity with the Ukrainian athlete in question is spreading among other athletes at the Olympics. He should be praised for his attempt to honor his fallen compatriots before the world, even at the risk of his own disqualification. The images on his helmet highlight Russian atrocities.
Although Russia was not allowed to participate as a nation in the Winter Games, some of its athletes have been allowed to compete. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed them to participate under "neutral" status. However, the BBC has reported that four of these Russian athletes are suspected of having links to activities supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's Atrocities and Doping
Furthermore, the IOC should never have allowed Russian athletes to compete as individuals in the first place.
A Ukrainian female athlete who competed in the Tokyo Olympics said she "cannot imagine competing alongside [Russian athletes]" while Russian soldiers are committing acts of sexual assault and torture on the battlefield. That is a perfectly natural reaction from someone whose nation is currently being invaded.
The IOC has also accredited Eteri Tutberidze, the Russian coach of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was caught doping at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Additionally, the chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency also expressed displeasure with the coach's participation in the Olympics. However, the IOC officially qualified her to coach Georgian skaters.
While being strict with Ukraine, the IOC is lenient towards Russia.
Recover 'Common Sense'
Regarding Russia, even senior officials of the Japanese Olympic Committee have made statements that appear to defend that country. Is what is considered "common sense" in the sports world consistent with common sense among the general public?
Late in 2025, the IOC expressed the view that Russian athletes should be allowed to take part in international youth competitions. It even added that they might do so under their own national flag and national anthem. That is set to be the governing principle starting with the Dakar Youth Olympic Games this fall. These moves are widely seen as a prelude to welcoming all Russian athletes back to international competition with open arms.
However, at this very moment, Russia is blatantly defying the United Nations Olympic Truce. Russian missiles and artillery shells continue to rain down on Ukraine. Even children and pregnant women continue to die as a result of Russia's acts of war.
Under the circumstances, the IOC's deference to Russia can only be deemed extremely abnormal.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
