Vladislav Heraskevich caused a stir at the Olympics in Beijing with an anti-war message. Now he is calling for drastic sanctions for anyone who supports the war. And also made the IOC responsible.
Ukrainian skeletoni Vladislav Heraskevich is calling for life bans on athletes who publicly support Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. “You should never be part of the Olympic family or the sports family in general. And people who remain silent should also be sanctioned, but of course not banned for life,” said the 23-year-old on Deutschlandfunk.
Russians who support Ukraine, “and there are a few of them in Russia,” should receive help and have the opportunity “to run for another country. Not Ukraine, but another country,” Heraskevich said.
At the Olympic Games in Beijing in February, after one of his runs, he held a note with the inscription “No war in Ukraine” (translated: “No war in Ukraine”, editor’s note) into the television camera. Shortly after the games, Russia launched the invasion of its homeland.
Vladislav Heraskevich holds his message to the camera at the Olympics: “No war in Ukraine”. (Source: Screenshot ARD Sportschau/t-online)
IOC should “help to end this war”
“Why are athletes banned when they dope? Because they lie and cheat everyone by doing so. And thereby harm themselves. But if athletes support the war, then they harm the whole Ukraine and destroy our lives. That’s why these sanctions should be tougher than in doping cases,” demanded the athlete, who helps victims of the war in his home country with his own aid organization.
Heraskevich also sees the International Olympic Committee as having a duty. Sport is not apolitical, but part of politics. “Especially in Russia. If a multiple Olympic champion performs at the Lushniki Stadium in Moscow and becomes part of the war propaganda, then his fans will also start to support this war. Of course, sport is political.” The IOC doesn’t support the war, it stands for peace: “But then the IOC should also help to end this war.”