Beleniuk backs debate on stripping Bubka of Hero of Ukraine title

“Personally, I think his involvement in Ukrainian sports is insufficient,” said Beleniuk.

“When there is a war going on in the country, a person of Bubka's stature should clearly express his position if he considers himself Ukrainian and associates himself with Ukraine. I don't know how strong public demand is on this issue. We have heard Vladyslav Heraskevych's opinion, but other people's positions have not been publicly voiced. In any case, all such decisions must be made in accordance with the law."

Heraskevych had urged revoking Bubka’s title due to the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), which Bubka heads, allowing Russians to compete under their national flag.

Sergey Bubka is an Olympic champion in pole vaulting. He left Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion. Bubka has been criticized for his lack of clear statements condemning Russia and his unwillingness to openly use his international influence to support Ukraine.

In 2023, investigative outlet Bihus.info reported that Bubka's family business continues to operate in the occupied territories and sells fuel to Russian troops. At the 2024 Olympics, Bubka awarded a former Russian athlete who was in occupied Crimea.

The former head of Ukraine’s NOC, Sergey Bubka, works for the International Olympic Committee and lives in Monaco. The Ukrainian did not react in any way to the IOC's ban on the "helmet of memory" and the disqualification of Vladyslav Heraskevych.

Earlier, the Ukrainian skeleton racer said that Bubka's actions were helping Russians return to world sport.