Experienced sports journalist Richard Deitsch offers a global perspective on the Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) typically does not plead, but it is earnestly requesting that Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian skeleton athlete, refrain from competing in a specially designed helmet that features the likenesses of over 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who lost their lives since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The IOC has warned that such an action would breach the Olympic rule concerning political expressions, meaning the helmet would be prohibited during competitions. Heraskevych utilized the helmet during his training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We will emphasize the numerous chances he has to convey his sorrow,” stated IOC spokesperson Mark Adams on Wednesday. “As previously mentioned, he can express this on social media and during press conferences in the mixed zone. We will attempt to communicate with him regarding this and aim to persuade him… There are 130 conflicts occurring globally. We cannot allow 130 different disputes to be showcased on the competition field, regardless of their severity.”
Heraskevych’s situation serves as a reflection of the ongoing myth that sports and politics remain separate realms. In reality, their intersection is undeniable, as evidenced by the IOC’s decision to grant the 2014 Winter Games to Vladimir Putin.
CBC Sports’ Rob Pizzo spoke to Vladyslav Heraskevych’s coach, who provided an update on the current situation.
The circumstances are fluid and may evolve before this piece reaches you. The first heat of the men’s skeleton is set for 3:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, with the second heat starting at 5:08 a.m. ET. The gold medal event is scheduled for Friday.
Heraskevych entered these Games, his third Olympics, without the expectation of winning gold, but securing a podium finish is a genuine possibility. He was ranked 11th in the world this season, placing second fastest on Tuesday and fifth fastest on Monday. His narrative is gaining traction globally, and he has effectively leveraged media platforms, including his own, to highlight the significance of his helmet.
Although there are several well-known athletes participating in the Olympics, none are currently as significant as Heraskevych. A confrontation appears imminent between him and the IOC, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Franjo Von Allmen of Switzerland celebrates after winning his gold medal in the men’s super-G on Wednesday, marking his third gold at these Games. (Getty Images)
Your First Week Olympics star
Expectations for the Milano-Cortina Games included a spotlight on Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, anticipated to emerge as the standout figure in men’s alpine skiing. This seemed like a safe prediction. Known by some as the Roger Federer of skiing, Odermatt enjoyed a level of fame in alpine skiing akin to that of Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, boasting 53 World Cup victories and a gold medal from the giant slalom at the Beijing Winter Games in 2022. He arrived at the Games recognized as the premier skier of his generation.
However, when these Olympics conclude and historians look back, it is likely that another Swiss skier will be compared with the greatest alpine skiers in Olympic history.
Franjo von Allmen, just 24 years old, secured gold in the men’s super-G on Wednesday, marking his third gold medal in less than a week of competition. He becomes the first male alpine skier in 58 years to win three gold medals in one Winter Games, joining the ranks of legends like Austrian Toni Sailer (1956) and France’s Jean-Claude Killy (1968) as the only male skiers to achieve this feat.
“I would love to win more, but for me to secure a third medal, especially a third gold, everything would need to align perfectly,” Von Allmen stated before the race on Wednesday.
The perfect alignment occurred — and a star has emerged.
Who will star on Thursday?
One of America’s leading winter sports figures and undoubtedly its most renowned snowboarder, Chloe Kim, will take the stage Thursday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. ET during the women’s halfpipe final in Livigno. Kim, a two-time defending gold medallist (from Pyeongchang and Beijing), faced a challenging lead-up to these Games after sustaining a shoulder injury during a training session in Switzerland in mid-January. Although she is wearing a brace on her left shoulder, Kim still managed to secure a leading score of 90.25 in the qualification round, setting her up for a significant final day.
Chloe Kim during halfpipe qualification on Wednesday. (Getty Images)
Kim is already the only woman to have won consecutive Olympic halfpipe gold medals and is now aiming to become the first halfpipe snowboarder, male or female, to win three consecutive gold medals. Other athletes to keep an eye on in the women’s halfpipe include Japan’s Shimizu Sara and Judo Rise, Maddie Mastro from the U.S., and the rising star from Korea, 17-year-old Choi Gaon.
Olympic imagery
The Athletic has an interesting data analysis piece on the men’s hockey tournament ffeaturing projections from a statistical model that utilizes player ratings to assess team strength, estimates each team’s chances of winning every match, and simulates the entire tournament 30,000 times.
Numbers to know
1:06.28 – Winning time of 1,000 meters for U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz, setting a new Olympic record in the event.
9 – Career Olympic goals achieved by Slovakia’s Juraj Slafkovsky, who scored seven goals as a 17-year-old in Beijing four years ago.
What we’re reading around the web
► The rise of Anna Gibson — the unintentional, yet remarkable U.S. Olympian in ski mountaineering. By Brendon Quinn of The Athletic
► Internal strife and resignations hinder France’s preparations for the 2030 Winter Olympics. By Samuel Petrequin of The Associated Press.
► A French biathlete found guilty of fraud wins Olympic gold while her scammed teammate finishes 80th. By Andy Bull of The Guardian
► Lindsey Vonn’s accident raises concerns for the families of Olympic skiers. By Julia Frankel of The Associated Press.
► Mikaela Shiffrin’s tense slalom run results in a ‘miracle’ for her U.S. teammates. By Tim Layden for NBC Olympics.
► ‘We Still Have a Sports Section for a Few Days, and Readers Need Me to Tell a Story.’ By Ivan L. Nagy of CJR.
► Ice hockey goalies showcase their pride and individuality through artistic helmet designs. By Amy Tennery and Giulio Piovaccari of Reuters