Ukrainian Sledder Follows Many Olympic Athletes Disqualified For Protest: A List | EUROtoday

On Feb 14, 2026

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A Ukrainian skeleton racer’s disqualification from the Milan-Cortina Games follows many Olympic athletes who have been penalized for protest gestures.

On Thursday Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred earlier than his competitors for carrying a helmet that includes photographs of athletes killed within the struggle towards Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The International Olympic Committee dominated the tribute a prohibited political show underneath article 50 of the Olympic Charter. Heraskevych’s compelled forfeit probably received’t be the final, given what precedes him on the Games.

The following are some political incidents or protests which have led to the disqualification or punishment of athletes on the Olympic Games:

2024 Paris Summer Olympics – Manizha Talash (Refugee Olympic Team, breaking)

B-girl Talash, a Spain-based Afghan representing the refugee workforce, misplaced her opening contest on the Place de Concorde however the end result was later modified to a disqualification as a result of she had displayed the slogan “Free Afghan Women” on a cape throughout her routine.

The World DanceSport Federation stated Talash had been disqualified for “displaying a political slogan on her attire”.

B-girl Talash wore a "Free Afghan women" sign that got her disqualified from the 2024 Paris Games. — B-girl Talash wore a “Free Afghan women” signal that bought her disqualified from the 2024 Paris Games.

2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics – Fethi Nourine (Algeria, judo)

Nourine withdrew from the judo competitors to keep away from a possible bout with an Israeli opponent. He was as a consequence of face Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool for his first match within the males’s 73 kg class. A victory would have paired him with Israeli Tohar Butbul ― who had a first-round bye ― within the subsequent spherical.

It was not the primary time Nourine had withdrawn from competitors to keep away from dealing with an Israeli opponent. He pulled out of the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo for a similar motive.

The Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew the accreditation for Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef and despatched them house. Both have been subsequently suspended for 10 years by the International Judo Federation.

2016 Rio Summer Olympics – Islam El Shehaby (Egypt, judo)

El Shehaby was reprimanded and despatched house by his workforce after refusing to shake palms with an Israeli opponent. The IOC Disciplinary Commission dominated his conduct violated Olympic values. He had been reportedly pressured by followers on social media to not present up for the match together with his Israeli opponent as a result of it could disgrace Islam.

Israel's Or Sasson extends his hand to Egypt's Islam Elshehaby, who ignores the gesture at the 2016 Games in Rio. — Israel’s Or Sasson extends his hand to Egypt’s Islam Elshehaby, who ignores the gesture on the 2016 Games in Rio.

2004 Athens Summer Olympics – Arash Miresmaeili (Iran, judo)

Miresmaeili forfeited his bout after lacking weight forward of a scheduled match towards an Israeli opponent. He publicly framed the act as a political protest.

He later turned head of his nation’s judo federation however underneath his management the federation was suspended from worldwide competitors in 2018 for placing strain on an Iranian fighter to withdraw from the World Judo Championships to keep away from having to face an Israeli opponent.

1972 Munich Summer Olympics – Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett (United States, athletics)

The two athletes have been expelled after protest conduct throughout the 400 meters medal ceremony. Matthews received gold and Collett earned silver however the pair shared the highest podium spot in a racial justice protest.

When the U.S. nationwide anthem was performed throughout the medals ceremony they chatted casually and didn’t stand at consideration.

They turned their backs to the flag, with Collett barefoot and holding his sneakers and Matthews having his palms on his hips. The IOC referred to as it “a disgusting display” and imposed lifetime Olympic bans, which have been later lifted.

“I couldn’t stand there and sing the words because I don’t believe they’re true. I wish they were. I believe we have the potential to have a beautiful country, but I don’t think we do,” Collett advised ABC TV.

Bronze medal winner Julius Sang, left, of Kenya stands at attention during the U.S. national but gold medal winner Vince Matthews, center, and silver medal winner Wayne Collett do not. — Bronze medal winner Julius Sang, left, of Kenya stands at consideration throughout the U.S. nationwide however gold medal winner Vince Matthews, middle, and silver medal winner Wayne Collett don’t.

1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics – Tommie Smith and John Carlos (United States, athletics)

Arguably essentially the most well-known case of political protest throughout an Olympics. At the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists throughout the 200m medal ceremony to protest racial injustice within the U.S.

In tv footage from an interview shortly after the 1968 protest, Smith stated the black gloves he and Carlos raised within the air represented Black America.

Smith, the gold medallist within the 200m, and Carlos, who received the bronze, have been advised to depart the Olympic Village after the incident, though each stored their medals.

U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and John Carlos extend gloved hands skyward in one of the notable Olympic protests at the Mexico City Games in 1968. — U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, middle, and John Carlos lengthen gloved palms skyward in one of many notable Olympic protests on the Mexico City Games in 1968.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/olympic-athletes-disqualified-list_n_698de756e4b0ba74045a3846