The disqualification of a Ukrainian skeleton racer from the Milan-Cortina Games follows many Olympic athletes being punished for protest gestures.
On Thursday, Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from taking part in his match because he wore a helmet with images of athletes who have died in the war against Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The International Olympic Committee ruled that the tribute a prohibited political display pursuant to Article 50 of the Olympic Charter. Heraskevych’s forced forfeit likely won’t be the last, given what awaits him at the Games.
Following are some political incidents or protests that have led to the disqualification or punishment of athletes at the Olympic Games:
Summer of Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Manizha Talash (Olympic refugee team, breaking)
B-girl Talash, a Spain-based Afghan representing the refugee team, lost her opening match at Place de Concorde, but the result was later changed to a Disqualification for displaying the slogan “Free Afghan Women” on a cape during her routine.
The World DanceSport Federation said Talash was disqualified because she “displayed a political slogan on her clothing”.
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Summer of Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games – Fethi Nourine (Algeria, judo)
Nourine withdrew from judo competition to avoid a possible fight with an Israeli opponent. He was set to face Mohamed Abdalrasool of Sudan for his first match in the men’s 73kg division. A win would have paired him in the next round with Israeli Tohar Butbul – who had a bye in the first round.
It was not the first time that Nourine withdrew from the competition to avoid a confrontation with an Israeli opponent. He withdrew from the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo for the same reason.
The Algerian Olympic Committee revoked the accreditation of Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef and sent them home. Both were subsequently suspended for ten years by the International Judo Federation.
Rio Summer 2016 Olympic Games – Islam El Shehaby (Egypt, judo)
El Shehaby was reprimanded and sent home by his team after refusing to shake hands with an Israeli opponent. The IOC disciplinary committee ruled on his conduct violated Olympic values. He was reportedly pressured by fans on social media not to show up for the match with his Israeli opponent because it would bring shame to Islam.
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Summer of Athens 2004 Olympic Games – Arash Miresmaeili (Iran, judo)
Miresmaeili forfeited his fight after losing weight ahead of a scheduled bout against an Israeli opponent. He publicly framed the act as a political protest.
He later became head of his country’s judo federation, but under his leadership the federation was suspended from international competition in 2018 for pressuring an Iranian fighter to withdraw from the World Judo Championships to avoid facing an Israeli opponent.
Summer of Munich 1972 Olympic Games – Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett (United States, athletics)
The two athletes were sent off the field after protesting during the 400-meter medal ceremony. Matthews won gold and Collett earned silver, but the pair shared the first podium spot in a protest for racial justice.
When the American national anthem was played during the medal ceremony, they chatted casually and didn’t stand at attention.
They turned their backs to the flag, with Collett barefoot and holding his shoes and Matthews with his hands on his hips. The IOC called it “a disgusting display” and imposed lifetime Olympic bans, which were later lifted.
“I couldn’t stand there and sing the words because I don’t believe they’re true. I wish they were true. I believe we have the potential to have a beautiful country, but I don’t think we do,” Collett told ABC TV.
Summer in Mexico City, 1968 Olympic Games – Tommie Smith and John Carlos (United States, athletics)
Perhaps the best-known case of political protest during a Olympic Games. At the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists in protest during the 200-meter medal ceremony. racial injustice in the US
In television footage of an interview shortly after the 1968 protest, Smith said the black gloves he and Carlos raised in the air represented Black America.
Smith, the gold medalist in the 200 meters, and Carlos, who won bronze, were told to leave the Olympic Village after the incident, although both kept their medals.
