Ukrainian coach slams Borzov and Bubka for staying silent on Heraskevych's disqualification

Vladyslav Heraskevych disqualified from the 2026 Winter Olympics

According to Главком: At the 2026 Winter Olympics, skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for wearing a helmet that featured images of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russian occupiers. This incident has sparked outrage from Ukrainian coach Mykola Kushnir, who helped prepare Heraskevych for competition. Kushnir is criticizing Olympic champions Valeriy Borzov and Sergey Bubka for their inaction in this matter, noting that they have not spoken out regarding the athlete's disqualification.

Reaction and consequences

Heraskevych was disqualified before his first Olympic run, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed his lawsuit against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the issue. IOC and International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) officials stated that Heraskevych's helmet violated the Olympic Charter and the Athletes' Expression Guidelines. Following this, the Ukrainian team concluded their 2026 Olympic campaign without winning a single medal.

In an interview, Kushnir expressed concern that Borzov and Bubka 'dug in and hid' during the Heraskevych scandal.

'If we talk about Borzov in general... At the 2026 Winter Olympics, he and Bubka were scared when this Heraskevych scandal broke. They could have come to him, at least shown some interest... There was no need to defend him, because that would have been interference. But come, ask questions, talk, understand what is happening,' said Mykola Kushnir.

He added that Borzov and Bubka live off money from the International Association of Athletics Federations but do nothing to support Ukrainian athletes.

This situation surrounding Heraskevych's disqualification highlights the lack of response from prominent Ukrainian athletes who hold high positions within the IOC, raising questions about their support during difficult times for Ukrainian sports.

The case illustrates the complex environment in which Ukrainian sports must operate amid international politics and war. Heraskevych's disqualification has become a symbol of the struggle for truth and identity, while also exposing insufficient backing from those with influence in sporting circles. The inaction of Borzov and Bubka may indicate a disconnect between sports elites and younger athletes facing the realities of the modern world.