Kersti Kaljulaid, president of the Estonian Olympic Committee, moderated a dinner in Munich focused on support for Ukraine, where Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was a speaker. During his training for the Winter Olympics, Heraskevych wore a helmet decorated with images of Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives in the war. This act led to a warning from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which stated that political statements are prohibited during the Olympics, an action that sparked significant controversy.

The situation escalated when, despite being warned, Heraskevych wore the helmet again the following day, drawing further attention to his stance. Following this, IOC President Kirsty Coventry spoke with him but could not reach a compromise, resulting in Heraskevych's disqualification from the Olympic Games and subsequent departure from the Olympic Village. The IOC's decision has generated backlash, highlighting the tension between sporting regulations and athletes’ rights to express political views.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed pride in Heraskevych's courage to use his platform for a political statement. Estonian Olympic Committee's Kaljulaid has also condemned the IOC's decision, emphasizing the importance of supporting athletes who wish to honor their fallen comrades. This incident raises important questions about the intersection of sports and political expression, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts.