Zelensky Personally Met With Geraskevich And Presented Him With The Order Of Freedom
3- 14.02.2026, 8:51
- 4,516
The Ukrainian athlete and his "memory helmet" became a legend of the 2026 Olympics.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met with Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevich and his father, coach of the Ukrainian national skeleton team Mikhail Heraskevich in Munich. The head of state presented the athlete with the Order of Freedom and thanked him for his principled position.
The Office of the President of Ukraine reports.
Zelensky noted Vladyslav Heraskiewicz's civic position and his support for Ukraine on the international stage.
"With great honor to you and certainly to all our Olympians who supported you, supported your position. Medals are important for Ukraine and for you, but I think the most important thing is who you are. I believe that you are a person. And I am sure that all the other results, which are so important for you, will certainly be. And Ukraine will have both champions and Olympians. The main thing that Ukraine has is Ukrainians. You are the embodiment of such a person," the president said.
In turn, Vladyslav Heraskievich thanked for the support and emphasized that Ukrainians united against injustice.
"And, most importantly, now the whole world is really talking about these athletes, who are depicted on this helmet. And despite their deaths, they are now bringing attention to Ukraine. They are uniting around Ukraine. And this is actually something very special," the athlete noted.
What preceded
It is known that Heraskiewicz's helmet features portraits of 22 Ukrainian athletes who were killed by Russia. The athlete planned to wear it at the start of the skeleton competition at the Olympic Games-2026, as a sign of respect and memory for Ukrainian athletes who will never be able to compete again because of Russian aggression.
But a few hours before the first race, the International Olympic Committee disqualified Vladyslav Geraskiewicz. The IOC considers this design of equipment a violation of the rules of the Olympic Charter and banned the use of the helmet during starts and training.
"The most important thing is that we are not trying to break any rules and be barbaric. We will continue anyway, despite everything we will continue to fight for our rights," the athlete said.
Wladyslav's father and coach of the Ukrainian national skeleton team Mykhailo Heraskevych also spoke about the wide support for this act not only among Ukrainians, but also among Ukraine's friends abroad.
"Everything you have done - everything is right. And it's important how people reacted. Thank you for that," the Ukrainian president emphasized.
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