Peaceful flash mob in Milan backs Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych

Members of the Ukrainian community in Milan on Feb. 12 held a peaceful flash mob in support of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was barred from competing in the Olympics over a helmet bearing images of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s war.

The event, organized by the UaMi association, took place near the Arco della Pace. Around 15 participants wore helmets bearing portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes.

“We support our athlete, who was prevented from using a helmet intended to pay tribute to Ukrainian athletes who died as a result of the war. For us, this is not a political gesture, but a human act of memory and respect,” the organizers said in a statement.

UaMi said the Olympics opening ceremony carried a strong message of peace but argued that “peace is not built by silencing the voices of those who suffer.”

“On the contrary, all generations must fully understand what people in a country under military aggression are experiencing,” the organization wrote, adding that honoring fallen athletes reflects humanity and respect, not propaganda.

Activists also met Heraskevych during a press conference at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Milan, where they thanked him for what they described as his moral courage and displayed their commemorative helmets.

“The IOC believes that speaking about one’s pain creates a situation of conflict, but we believe this is a deeply misleading perspective and wrong understanding of the spirit of the written rules as well as fundamental values of the Olympic Games,” UaMi said, adding that the case could set a precedent.

Earlier, the Ukrainian World Congress called on the IOC to immediately reverse its decision to suspend Heraskevych for honoring athletes killed in Russia’s war.