Ukrainian bobsled follows many Olympic athletes disqualified for protesting: a list
The disqualification of a Ukrainian runner from the Milan-Cortina Games comes after many Olympic athletes were sanctioned for protest gestures.
On Thursday, Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from his competition for wearing a helmet with images of athletes killed in the war against Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The International Olympic Committee ruled that the tribute was a prohibited political display under Article 50 of the Olympic Charter. Heraskevych’s forced resignation likely won’t be the last, given what precedes him at the Games.
The following are some political incidents or protests that have led to the disqualification or punishment of athletes at the Olympic Games:
Paris Summer 2024 Olympics – Manizha Talash (Olympic Refugee Team, break)
B-girl Talash, a Spain-based Afghan representing the refugee team, lost her inaugural contest at the Plaza de la Concorde, but the result was later changed to a disqualification because she had displayed the slogan “Free Afghan Women” on a cape during her routine.
The World DanceSport Federation said Talash had been disqualified for “displaying a political slogan on her clothing.”
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Tokyo Summer 2021 Olympics – Fethi Nourine (Algeria, judo)
Nourine withdrew from judo competition to avoid a possible fight with an Israeli opponent. He had to face the Sudanese Mohamed Abdalrasool in his first match in the men’s 73 kg category. A win would have paired him with Israeli Tohar Butbul, who had a bye in the first round, in the next round.
It was not the first time that Nourine withdrew from the competition to avoid facing an Israeli rival. He withdrew from the 2019 Tokyo World Championships for the same reason.
The Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew the accreditation of Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef and sent them home. Both were subsequently suspended for 10 years by the International Judo Federation.
Rio Summer 2016 Olympics – Islam El Shehaby (Egypt, Judo)
El Shehaby was reprimanded and sent home by his team after refusing to shake the hand of an Israeli opponent. The IOC Disciplinary Commission ruled that his conduct violated Olympic values. Fans had reportedly pressured him on social media not to show up for the match against his Israeli opponent because it would bring shame to Islam.
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Athens Summer 2004 Olympics – Arash Miresmaeili (Iran, judo)
Miresmaeili lost his fight after missing weight before a scheduled bout against an Israeli opponent. He publicly framed the event 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 wrestler to withdraw from the World Judo Championships to avoid having to face an Israeli opponent.
Munich summer 1972 Olympics – Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett (USA, athletics)
The two athletes were expelled after protest behavior during the 400 meters medal ceremony. Matthews won gold and Collett silver, but the two shared the top spot on the podium in a protest for racial justice.
When the American national anthem played during the medal ceremony, they chatted casually and did not stand at attention.
They turned their backs on 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 think they’re true. I wish they were. I think we have the potential to have a beautiful country, but I don’t think we have it,” Collett told ABC TV.
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Mexico City summer of 1968 Olympics – Tommie Smith and John Carlos (United States, athletics)
Possibly the most famous case of political protest during a Olympics. At the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists during the 200-meter medal ceremony to protest racial injustice in the United States.
In television footage from 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 ordered to leave the Olympic Village after the incident, although both kept their medals.
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