Vladyslav Geraskevych Speaks Out on Serhii Bubka
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Geraskevych has voiced his frustration after the Verkhovna Rada declined to act on a parliamentary request to revoke Serhii Bubka's title of Hero of Ukraine. Speaking before the legislature on February 26, 2026, Geraskevych urged lawmakers to strip Bubka of the honor, citing investigations into the former pole vault champion's business dealings in territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. Despite applause and apparent support from some deputies, the Rada ultimately failed to put the request to a vote.
'Many deputies backed me. After I stated my demand, a large number of them stood and applauded. Unfortunately, they didn't take it any further. If members of the Verkhovna Rada refuse to purge the Russian filth from Ukraine, it means their stance contradicts the nation's interests.' Vladyslav Geraskevych
Geraskevych also criticized the Minister of Sports, who claimed there were no grounds to remove Bubka's Hero of Ukraine title despite the clear reasons laid out in an official petition. 'Bubka's actions are completely at odds with his title. He led an organization that spread Russian propaganda and runs a family business with the occupiers. It's outrageous to me that he still holds the title of Hero of Ukraine,' Geraskevych added.
Comments on Vladyslav Larin
Geraskevych further addressed the case of Vladyslav Larin, a Russian Olympic taekwondo champion slated to compete at the European Taekwondo Championships in Munich, Germany, from May 11 to 14, 2026. Larin has publicly called on Russians to support the country's occupying forces, drawing sharp concern from Geraskevych. He submitted a complaint to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), stating: 'A military propagandist like Larin should be on Interpol's wanted list for arrest, not at the European Championships. It also raises the question: which country issued him a visa?'
Through these actions, Geraskevych is pushing for a stronger stance on national identity and patriotism within Ukrainian sports, urging authorities to take action against individuals he believes harm the country's image. The controversies surrounding Serhii Bubka and Vladyslav Larin highlight the fraught intersection of sports and politics in Ukraine, where issues of loyalty and national security have become increasingly urgent amid ongoing hostilities. How the public and state institutions respond to these challenges could shape both the morale and the international reputation of Ukrainian athletics.
In light of Geraskevych's condemnation of Bubka's continued honors, his concerns extend to the upcoming participation of another controversial figure, Vladyslav Larin. The inclusion of Larin in the European Taekwondo Championships raises significant questions about the implications of honoring athletes with ties to Russian propaganda. For more insights on this pressing issue, see our coverage on the invitation of a Russian propagandist to the European Championship.