Volodymyr Zelensky has lashed out at the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s decision to disqualify a Ukrainian athlete from the Winter Olympics over his choice of helmet. The Ukrainian President took to X on Thursday to reply to similar criticism of the IOC from TV host and journalist Piers Morgan. 

Mr Zelensky wrote on X, sharing Piers Morgan‘s message: “Thank you for taking a principled stance, Piers. The IOC’s decision is indeed morally appalling.” Mr Morgan had written: “Disgusting decision. Shame on the Winter Olympic chiefs.” Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych’s helmet was emblazoned with the faces of several Ukrainian athletes who were killed as a result of Russia‘s unlawful invasion of Ukraine. The Express has contacted the IOC for comment.

On Wednesday, Mr Heraskevych vowed to wear what was dubbed a ‘helmet of memory’ as a sign of respect for fallen Ukrainian athletes – even though the IOC had warned him that doing so would lead to him being disqualified.

The athlete accused the International Olympic Committee of doing Russia’s propaganda for them after he was barred from racing in the Winter Games.

He wore the helmet in all of his training runs leading up to the beginning of the competition. He was informed by the IOC the helmet “does not comply” with the Olympic charter.

Speaking on his ban he said: “I feel emptiness. Yesterday was amazing training, before yesterday was also very good training. I could be among the medallists in this event but suddenly because of some interpretation of the rules that we do not agree with, I am not able to compete while other athletes in the same situation were able to compete and they didn’t face any sanctions.

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“Expression guidelines, I believe it is a very big wording count. What do you consider as expression? Many athletes here in this arena have helmets with different paints, and I believe that’s also kind of expression. Some athletes have national symbols, that’s also expression. But for some reason, their helmets weren’t checked and they’re allowed to compete but we’re not.”

The decision to ban him from the competition was made after the IOC claimed Heraskevych “did not consider any form of compromise”.

The Olympics governing body insisted he was banned because his helmet went against athlete guidelines, rather than because of displaying political propaganda.

On Tuesday, the IOC announced a “compromise” that would allow Heraskevych to wear a black armband and speak to the press rather than donning hte helmet during the competition. He said: “He can, and we would encourage him, to express his grief, but let me be clear. It’s not the message, it’s the place that counts. There are 130 conflicts going on in the world. We cannot have 130 different conflicts featured, however terrible they are, during the field of play, during the actual competition.”

In response Heraskevych said he would not stand down, adding that he will not “betray” his country. “I will not betray these athletes. These athletes sacrificed their lives, and because of this sacrifice, I am able to be here, so I will not betray them,” he said.