The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Ukrainian short tracker Oleksandr Handei from participating in the Olympic Games because of a phrase from a well-known poet and dissident, Lina Kostenko, inscribed on his helmet. Handei is the third Ukrainian athlete to face such a ban, each time due to using helmet designs that symbolize support for the Ukrainian nation amidst the ongoing conflict. Handei expressed frustration over the IOC's decision, clarifying that the quote on his helmet, ‘Where there is bravery, there is no complete defeat,’ is simply inspirational and not intended as a political statement.

The decision by the IOC comes ahead of the competitions, heightening the tension surrounding the participation of Ukrainian athletes in international events. Handei's situation exemplifies the broader struggles faced by athletes from Ukraine, who wish to express their national pride and support for their country in this time of war. He attempted to explain that his helmet's inscription was not a political slogan but rather motivational words for himself, his team, and his nation, which he believes should be allowed in the spirit of the Games.

This incident follows a similar case where another Ukrainian athlete, Vladyslav Hraskevych, was disqualified for refusing to alter a helmet design, indicating a pattern of the IOC enforcing strict regulations on political expressions in sports. The actions taken by the IOC have sparked discussions about the balance between maintaining neutrality in sports and allowing athletes to stand up for their nations, especially during times of conflict.