I was there at Vladyslav Heraskevych’s press conference held at the Ukrainian Consulate in Milan, on Thurdsay night (yesterday). I know during war times communication counts to guide public opinion, and therefore their governors. But, for once, the Olympic committee took the right decision by disqualifying the young athlete for wearing an helmet with the faces of several athletes dead over the course of the conflict.

So states article 50 of the Olympic Charter: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted
in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas”. Basically, you’re not allowed to show symbols, even powerful ones. And – if you do so, which might make sense as a form of protest – you must accept the consequences. Exceptions have been made during press conferences.

The problem lies elsewhere.

During these Games, the International Olympic Committee obliged the Russian athletes to compete without a flag, understandable as a means of pressure on Moscow (not a premiere: apartheid’s South Africa was banned from the Games ) but hard to bear for them as single men and women.

Not only.

They allowed former member of the Idf (Israeli defence forces) who allegedly fought in Gaza and showed support to the genocide on their social media accounts to compete: not very Olympic-like.

Both were wrong decisions.

For once, by disqualifying Heraskevych, they did the right thing. It was emotional, it might have been hard, but nevertheless, it was necessary: if not done, it would have created a precedent. Who decides what’s worth being shown during a race? You enter into the political arena.

The problem lies in the use of double standards, as shown before. Israel committed a genocide, the Us themselves invaded Venezuela deporting its president Nicolàs Maduro. As usual, with no consequences regarding their participation and their athletes.

Vladyslav’s gesture is understandable from a human point of view, but rules are rules. And must be respected. By everyone. Please tell the Ioc.

ps.

This doesn’t mean any support to Russian invasion or antisemitism, needless to say.