In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to prevent Ukrainian athlete Vladislav Geraskevich from competing in men's skeleton at the Winter Olympics. Zelensky argued that the IOC's move does not align with the Olympic values of integrity and peace. He emphasized that the Olympic movement should actively work towards stopping wars instead of supporting aggressors’ interests. This assertion highlights the tension between the principles of sportsmanship and the realities of geopolitical conflicts.

Zelensky pointed out that sports should not equate to amnesia regarding global conflicts, drawing attention to the sacrifices of Ukrainian athletes who have lost their lives due to Russia's actions in the ongoing war. He acknowledged Geraskevich's symbolic gesture of wearing a helmet that commemorates fallen Ukrainian athletes during his Olympic qualification, further spotlighting the grave consequences of the conflict. The president's comments call into question the neutrality of international sports institutions in the shadow of warfare and the moral obligations of such organizations.

Moreover, Zelensky referenced past instances where Russia has used Olympic events as a facade while engaging in military aggression, citing conflicts in Georgia in 2008, Crimea in 2014, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. His remarks reiterate a plea for the Olympic movement to adhere to its foundational principles and emphasize the need for accountability in the face of national aggression. As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, Zelensky's statements resonate with concerns about whether the global sports community can remain impartial amid ongoing conflicts, urging a reassessment of the role of sports in fostering peace and collaboration rather than conflict.