Einars Fogelis, president of the International Luge Federation (FIL), publicly commented on the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Heraskevich for mentioning fallen Ukrainian athletes in his speech. Fogelis emphasized that memories should not be a reason for punishment, reflecting his concern about the implications of such a decision on athletes who wish to honor their fallen countrymen. He underlined that the concept of remembrance is significant in the realm of sports, particularly in light of historical parallels he drew to the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, where commemorative lanterns were distributed in support of war-torn Sarajevo.

Fogelis stated that due to his current commitments, he has not fully reviewed the IOC's decision, which limits his ability to commentfully on the specific grounds for Heraskevich's disqualification. While he seeks to understand the nuances of the situation, his viewpoint stresses the importance of allowing athletes the space to express their memories and tributes. This incident has sparked wider discussions regarding the balance between sports governance and athletes' personal freedoms, particularly in relation to sensitive political contexts such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The FIL is an association of international winter sports federations, where Fogelis's remarks reflect a growing concern among sports leaders regarding the intersection of sport, memory, and political implications. As these discussions unfold, they could have broader implications for future Olympic policies and the role of athletes in speaking out about their experiences and the tragedies affecting their home countries. Fogelis's perspective invites a necessary dialogue on how both the IOC and international sports bodies navigate the complexities of political statements made in the name of remembrance.