The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) has openly condemned the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych. The controversy arose when Heraskevych wore a helmet that depicted images of Ukrainian athletes who have been killed in the war, which led to his disqualification prior to the competition for refusing to remove the helmet. EOK Secretary General Kristo Tohver expressed that this decision contradicts the Olympic Charter's goal of protecting athletes from political influences and ensuring equal conditions for all participants.

Tohver emphasized that honoring the victims of an aggressive war should not be misconstrued as a political statement. He argued that the principles of dignity and humanity should be at the core of the Olympic movement. Rather than viewing the tribute to fallen comrades as a political act, Tohver insisted it should be seen as a fundamental expression of values inherent to sportsmanship, asserting that participating in the Olympics should not come at the expense of honoring human dignity and loss.

The disqualification raises questions about the boundaries of political expressions in sports and the expectations placed upon athletes. The EOK's stance serves to highlight broader issues regarding how wartime narratives intersect with global sporting events and the ramifications for athletes wishing to express solidarity or remembrance. This situation not only affects Heraskevych but also sparks a larger conversation about the recognition of individual and national struggles within the realm of competitive sports.