The petition to strip Serhiy Bubka of the title "Hero of Ukraine" did not receive the required number of votes
A petition calling for the title of “Hero of Ukraine” to be stripped from Serhiy Bubka, the former president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, and for sanctions to be imposed against him, did not receive enough support to be considered by the government.
According to the platform on the government’s website, the initiative was registered on February 27 and, as of May 28, had gathered 15,700 signatures out of the required 25,000.
The petition’s author, skeleton racer Vladislav Geraskevich, stated that, in his opinion, Bubka does not meet the criteria for the highest state award, particularly against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
The text of the petition also contained allegations regarding Bubka’s possible ties to companies operating in the temporarily occupied territories, as well as criticism of his activities within international sports organizations.
In particular, the author of the petition noted that organizations associated with Bubka allegedly allowed Russian athletes to participate while displaying national symbols, which, in his opinion, creates risks of spreading propaganda.
The petition also mentioned the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions, where, it was claimed, they could use national symbols.
Serhiy Bubka is an Olympic champion, multiple world and European champion, and holder of 35 world records. He headed the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine from 2005 to 2022 and also held high-ranking positions in international sports organizations.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not support a parliamentary inquiry to send an appeal to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the revocation of state awards and honorary titles from Ukrainian track and field athlete Serhiy Bubka and swimmer Yana Klochkova.
As a reminder, Vladislav Geraskevich previously issued a strong demand to strip Serhiy Bubka of his highest state award. The athlete is convinced that the former head of the NOC is playing into the interests of the Russian Federation, as evidenced by his business activities in the occupied territories and his role as president of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA).
“I am ashamed that this title remains with a person who trades with the occupiers and plays into Russia’s hands,” Geraskevich stated.
He called for Bubka to be stripped of his state award through the imposition of sanctions, emphasizing that the title of Hero of Ukraine is currently often awarded posthumously to military personnel who gave their lives for the country.
The petition has gathered over 5,000 signatures.
