Latvia's luge team achieved a commendable fourth place in the Olympic team relay competition held recently, showcasing the talent and dedication of its athletes: Elīna Ieva Bota, Mārtiņš Bots/Roberts Plūme, Kristers Aparjods, and Marta Robežniece/Kitija Bogdanova. The event featured competitors from nine countries, with Germany clinching the gold, Austria the silver, and Italy the bronze. This performance highlights Latvia's growing presence in winter sports on the Olympic stage.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made headlines by disqualifying Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevich. The decision came after Geraskevich refused to change his helmet, which bore the names of over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Geraskevich expressed that the ruling is painful and unfair, calling attention to the restrictions placed on athletes concerning their personal expressions related to global conflicts.

The disqualification has not gone unnoticed in Latvia and Ukraine, with many politicians and public figures in Latvia voicing their support for Ukraine and its athletes on social media platforms. In a parallel gesture of recognition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded a medal to an athlete as a symbol of support and solidarity. This situation underscores the complex intersection of sports, national pride, and the political realities facing athletes from war-torn regions.