The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given permission for Ukrainian athletes to wear black armbands at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina to commemorate their sportspeople who have lost their lives due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. This decision comes as a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's defense of skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych's right to wear a helmet adorned with the images of athletes killed in the war, which the IOC has deemed a violation of its guidelines on political symbols.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that the helmet would not be allowed during the events since it contravenes the Olympic Charter's guidelines prohibiting political gestures in competition, a rule enforced since 2021. Despite this, the IOC’s decision to permit the black armband represents a rare exception aimed at allowing athletes to pay tribute and express their grief for the tragic losses incurred since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between sporting events and political expressions, prompting discussions about the role sports can play in social and political issues. As athletes often become representatives of their nations, the IOC’s decision reflects an attempt to navigate the complex relationship between sports, national identity, and global events, while maintaining principles of neutrality in Olympic competitions.