The IOC has allowed a Ukrainian athlete to wear a black armband to honor those killed in the war after prohibiting him from using a helmet featuring images of deceased athletes from Ukraine.
On October 10, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted permission for Vladislav Heraskevich, the Ukrainian flag-bearer at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, to wear a black armband to honor athletes who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This decision follows an earlier incident where Heraskevich was barred from using a helmet adorned with portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes during a training session, highlighting the IOC’s strict regulations against any political demonstrations during Olympic events. Mark Adams, an IOC spokesperson, described the armband concession as a 'good compromise' while reiterating the organization's commitment to maintaining political neutrality in sports.
