Vladyslav Heraskevytj, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete, has recently faced disqualification due to his refusal to participate without wearing a helmet adorned with images of athletes who have lost their lives in the ongoing war. In an interview, sports columnist Johan Esk emphasized that Heraskevytj stands as one of the true heroes of the Olympics for his stance, which reflects a deep respect for those who have suffered due to the conflict. Esk contrasts Heraskevytj's principled position with other athletes who may express support without taking such definitive action in their own careers.

Esk highlights the broader implications of Heraskevytj's actions, suggesting that they challenge the status quo of sporting events where personal ambitions often overshadow demonstrations of solidarity. The columnist asserts that any athlete who chooses to highlight the plight of victims rather than prioritizing their own competition deserves recognition and respect. This disqualification raises questions about the responsibilities of athletes in times of crisis and whether sporting organizations are equipped to handle such deeply personal and political expressions.

Finally, Johann Esk expresses concern about what he perceives as a culture of hypocrisy within the sporting world, where physical representation of grief and remembrance may be met with punitive actions. The article calls for a reassessment of how international sporting bodies address the intersection of sport and socio-political issues and suggests that more dialogue is needed to create an environment that honors athletes' choices to stand in solidarity with victims of violence, rather than merely enforcing rules without consideration of context.