IOC Faces Criticism Over 1936 Berlin Games T-Shirt After Banning Ukraine Helmet

The Olympic committee disqualified a Ukrainian athlete for his political message but is now under fire for its own messaging.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet displaying photos of fellow athletes killed defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion. However, the IOC is now facing criticism for selling a T-shirt featuring propaganda-tinged artwork from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were known as the 'Nazi Games'. The IOC claims it must protect its trademarks, but the difference is that Heraskevych wasn't selling his helmet, while the IOC is profiting from the 1936 Berlin Games imagery.

Why it matters

The IOC's decision to ban Heraskevych's helmet with a political message, while simultaneously selling a T-shirt featuring Nazi-era propaganda, has raised questions about the committee's messaging and double standards. This highlights the ongoing debate around the role of politics in sports and the IOC's responsibility in addressing historical issues like antisemitism at the 1936 Berlin Games.

The details

Heraskevych's helmet displayed photos of fellow athletes killed defending Ukraine, which the IOC deemed a political message and disqualified him. Meanwhile, the IOC has been selling a T-shirt featuring artwork from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which had a 'certain Aryan quality' and was used as Nazi propaganda. The IOC claims it must protect its trademarks, but the difference is that Heraskevych wasn't selling his helmet, while the IOC is profiting from the 1936 Berlin Games imagery.

  • In 1936, the Berlin Olympics were known as the 'Nazi Games'.
  • In 1998, Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller, two American Jewish sprinters, were recognized as victims of antisemitism at the 1936 Berlin Games.
  • In 2026, the IOC disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for wearing a helmet with a political message.

The players

Vladyslav Heraskevych

A Ukrainian skeleton racer who was disqualified by the IOC for wearing a helmet displaying photos of fellow athletes killed defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Jesse Owens

An American sprinter who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were known as the 'Nazi Games'.

Marty Glickman

An American Jewish sprinter who was kept out of the 1936 Berlin Olympics 4x100m relay, likely due to antisemitism.

Sam Stoller

An American Jewish sprinter who was also kept out of the 1936 Berlin Olympics 4x100m relay, likely due to antisemitism.

Avery Brundage

The head of the IOC at the time of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, who was accused of antisemitism in keeping Glickman and Stoller out of the relay.

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What they’re saying

“Suddenly a wave of rage overwhelmed me. I thought I was going to pass out. I began to scream every dirty curse word, every obscenity I knew. … Being there, visualizing and reliving those moments, caused the eruption which had been gnawing at me for so long and which I thought I had expunged years ago.”

— Marty Glickman (The New York Times)

“The first answer is we cannot rewrite history. The 1936 Games happened. We hold up what (American sprinter) Jesse Owens did, and a number of other athletes, as a great example of upholding the Olympic spirit.”

— Mark Adams, IOC Spokesman

“The validity of those trademarks depends on us exercising our rights. If we stop using the trademarks they can be taken by other people and potentially misused. We produce a small number of those items. The main reason is to protect our copyright so they are not misused.”

— Mark Adams, IOC Spokesman

What’s next

The IOC will face continued scrutiny over its messaging and handling of political issues at the Olympics, especially as it relates to the 1936 Berlin Games and the experiences of athletes like Glickman and Stoller.

The takeaway

The IOC's decision to ban a Ukrainian athlete's helmet with a political message, while simultaneously profiting from Nazi-era propaganda imagery, highlights the committee's inconsistent approach to addressing historical issues and political statements in sports. This raises questions about the IOC's responsibility in upholding the Olympic spirit and values.