Ukrainian politician accuses Milano Cortina of promoting Russian propaganda

Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Heraskevych Appeals Disqualification at Milan Olympics

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) began hearing an appeal by Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych on Friday, with a decision expected later in the day. Heraskevych was removed from the Olympic program on Thursday after the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation jury ruled that imagery on his helmet breached rules on political neutrality at the Games.

Heraskevych is seeking reinstatement or a CAS-supervised run pending a decision by the sport’s highest court. He appeared before the CAS in Milan, where he stated that he was “pretty positive” about the hearing and expressed hope that the truth would prevail. Heraskevych claimed to be receiving threats from Russians and blamed the IOC’s decision for this.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Heraskevych to keep his credentials despite his disqualification, allowing him to remain at the Milano Cortina Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych on Thursday in an effort to resolve the impasse and subsequently asked the disciplinary commission to re-examine his accreditation out of respect for him and his father.

CAS Secretary-General Matthieu Reeb stated that a final decision was expected, but could not provide a specific timeline. The hearing is being conducted by one arbitrator from Germany, with participants attending in person, including Heraskevych, his father, the IOC, and representatives from the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

Heraskevych’s helmet featured imagery of athletes killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The IBSF jury ruled that this breached rules on political neutrality at the Games.

Source: Al Jazeera