As athletes take the podium at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, some have shared their opinions on political issues. Their comments have sparked mixed reactions and raised questions about whether politics belongs at the Olympics. At Sacred Heart University, students and faculty offer differing perspectives.
Source: Alessandra Tarantino, AP News
The debate intensified after Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for refusing to remove a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. According to NBC News, the International Olympic Committee said the helmet violated Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which states that no kind of political demonstration is permitted in Olympic sites or venues.
A jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation made the decision shortly before he was scheduled to compete. Heraskevych called the ruling “surreal” and said he was “treated unfairly.” He said there are things “more important than medals” and filed an application with the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging the decision, arguing the exclusion is disproportionate and causes irreparable sporting harm.
Dr. Steven Michels, department chair of Political Science & Global Affairs, believes athletes should not be expected to separate their conscience from their competition.
“Athletes are citizens before they are performers, and no one should be asked to shed their conscience when they put on a uniform,” said Michels.
He argues that expecting athletes to stay silent because an event is “just about sports” protects comfort, not principle. Michels said the Olympics already trade on nationalism, symbolism, and moral storytelling, and pretending they are apolitical is dishonest.
“When someone who has earned a global platform speaks out against injustice, that is not a corruption of sport,” said Michels. “It’s a reminder that excellence does not require moral vacancy.”
Michels also rejected the idea that voicing an opinion diminishes athletic ability. He said speaking out does not erase training, discipline, or achievement; it only makes some audiences uncomfortable. He described asking athletes to “just play” while others suffer injustice as “a kind of moral laziness.”
Sophomore Morielle Rams, a political science major, also sees politics as a natural part of the Olympic experience.
“I am an avid fan of the Olympics,” said Rams. “Every country has a story, and every athlete has their own version to tell.”
Rams said Olympic athletes possess not only talent but also opportunity. She said that some athletes work multiple jobs to afford basic needs, struggle to find accessible and sustainable training, or miss qualifying competitions due to instability tied to citizenship or family immigration.
“Athletes who receive the opportunity to successfully compete in the Olympics should also receive the platform to advocate for the areas they find worth advocating,” said Rams. “You do not represent only the good parts of a nation. You represent the whole.”
However, not all students agree. Sophomore Rebecca Kelly, who plays on the club basketball team, only casually watches the Olympics and doesn’t believe political opinions should be discussed.
“I’ll have it on in the background while doing work, and check up on how America is doing,” said Kelly. “I’ll really only pay attention if something crazy happens.”
Kelly believes political opinions should be limited at an event like the Olympics, which should be about uniting the entire country in patriotism.
“I think athletes should keep politics to a minimum for the most part,” said Kelly. “Instead of unifying the countries more, it divides them, whether that’s against each other or creates divide within its own country.”
