‘The Helmet of Memory and the Courage to Speak the Truth’
A Message of Sports Diplomacy from Vladyslav Heraskevych (Ukrainian Olympian and Human Rights Advocate)
University of Limerick is proud to feature as the inaugural host of the ‘Helmet of Memory Tour’ in Ireland as Olympian and international peace spokesperson Vladyslav Heraskevych visits campus on May 26th. Vladyslav will spend the week of May 25th to 29th in Ireland to engage with politicians, athletes, and the public regarding the ethics of neutrality in sport and the role of athletes in times of war.
Join us in the Department of Physical Education & Sports Sciences on May 26th at 4pm where Vladyslav’s will discuss how sport serves as a powerful driver for social change. His talk will explore the intersection of athletic excellence, diplomacy and human rights in the global sports arena. This event is being supported by UL Global and the opening address will be performed by Prof Colin Fitzpatrick (Vice President of Global and Community Engagement).
Who is Vladyslav Heraskevych?
Vladyslav Heraskevych is a two-time Olympian for Ukraine who has become a powerful global voice for sporting integrity and human rights. Vladyslav is Ukraine’s premier skeleton athlete and first made international headlines during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics when he silently yet courageously displayed a “No War in Ukraine” sign to the world’s cameras. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Vladyslav’s commitment to peace reached a turning point when he attempted to compete wearing the “Helmet of Memory”. This helmet is dedicated to Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia’s full-scale invasion – they were Vladyslav’s compatriots, his team-mates, and his friends. Vladyslav felt so strongly about honouring their memories that he refused to compete in a different helmet and was banned from the Winter Olympics for making a “political statement”. Vladyslav appealed the decision to stop him competing but it was upheld leading to his disqualification. Following the controversy, Vladyslav received widespread solidarity from the international athletic community, who viewed his stance not as a violation of neutrality, but as a defence of fundamental human values. Beyond the track, Vladyslav is a dedicated advocate for athletes’ rights, and his foundation actively promotes the development of children’s sport and inclusive sports in Ukraine.
Who should attend?
The talk is open to both members of the UL community and the general public.
Where is the talk on?
The talk will be hosted in the PESS Building at the University of Limerick. Tickets are free, but need to be reserved. You can reserve your place here.
Dr. Phil Kearney is the Course Leader for the MSc Applied Sports Coaching at the University of Limerick. A Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, his teaching and research centres on the domain of skill acquisition, particularly as it relates to youth sport. A regular contributor to RTÉ Brainstorm, Phil is a member of the Gaelic Athletic Association’s Player & Coach Development Advisory Group, an Associate Editor for Perceptual and Motor Skills and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Motor Learning and Development. Phil is a co-founder of Movement and Skill Acquisition Ireland.
Contact: philip.kearney@ul.ie https://pure.ul.ie/en/persons/philip-kearney/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pekearney/
Dr. Niamh Cummins is an Associate Professor in Public Health in the School of Medicine and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Paramedicine at Monash University. Niamh’s research is in health services delivery and her work has driven national public policy including the development of the Emergency Medicine Programme Model of Care and the National Research Strategy for Paramedicine. Niamh recently organised the Unissued Diplomas Exhibition in the Glucksman Library and Ambassador Gerasko’s visit to UL and she is delighted to partner again with the Ukrainian community to welcome Vladyslav to campus.
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