Vladislav Geraskevich, a well-known Ukrainian skeleton racer, shared his thoughts with “Glavkom” on the recent changes to the Olympic Charter approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
What Has Changed in the Olympic Charter
The IOC has adopted amendments to the Olympic Charter which, according to critics, could lower the barriers to Russia’s return to the international sports arena. The new provisions emphasize that sport must remain free from pressure from government, culture, society, and the economy. The IOC asserts that these changes are intended to protect athletes and competitions from external influences and to prevent the Olympic Games from being used for political purposes.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry noted that these changes are intended to preserve the uniqueness of the Olympic Games as a platform for uniting the world through sport. When asked about the possible return of Russian athletes, Coventry emphasized that the IOC needs time to implement these changes in practice.
Criticism of the Changes
Rob Kohler, CEO of the human rights organization Global Athlete, expressed concern that the reform could weaken the Olympic movement. “This could mean that war, systematic doping, and violations of the Olympic Charter will no longer be obstacles to full participation,” he warned.
Vladislav Geraskevich’s Perspective
Geraskevich emphasized that all changes must be clear and objective. “At the 2026 Olympic Games, we saw how individual IOC members interpreted the rules in their own way, even though the cases were, seemingly, identical,” he noted.
