Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has openly criticized the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Heraskevych for mentioning fallen athletes. Siliņa argues that this action is contrary to the Olympic spirit and fundamental principles of respect and solidarity, stating that honoring the memory of the deceased is an act of humanity, not political propaganda. Her statement has been shared widely, reflecting the strong sentiments regarding the treatment of Ukrainian athletes in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Additionally, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has echoed Siliņa's sentiments on Twitter, deeming the IOC's decision fundamentally wrong. The disqualification occurred shortly before competition events, indicating a lack of understanding of the human aspects involved in sports during times of conflict. The reactions from Siliņa and Rinkēvičs underline the political sensitivity surrounding Olympic participation in relation to the war in Ukraine and the importance of supporting Ukrainian athletes.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also weighed in on the issue, highlighting the daily violence inflicted by Russia on innocent Ukrainians and asserting that Russia cannot be considered neutral in this context. She reiterated that Heraskevych's actions were merely a human gesture to remember his fallen teammates, emphasizing the non-political nature of the tribute. This incident may lead to further discussions on the IOC's policies regarding athletes from conflict zones and the balance between sportsmanship and political issues in the international arena.