Ukraine asks to wear black armbands in response to violence; IOC says no

The IOC will not allow Ukrainian athletes to wear black armbands to memorialize the 25 people killed during a violent day of protests in Kiev.

Ukraine's capital has been the scene of ongoing demonstrations and unrest for nearly three months, but Wednesday was the most destructive day yet. The Ukrainian Olympic committee released a statement expressing shock at the events and appealing "for peace and mutual understanding."

But the IOC, which has been very strict about upholding its policy forbidding political expression, denied Ukraine's request to acknowledge the conflict through their uniforms.

"Sharing deep pain over the loss of fellow countrymen, the Ukrainian Olympic committee appealed to the International Olympic Committee to allow Ukrainian athletes wear black armbands as a sign of mourning, an expression of sorrow and sympathy," the Ukrainian Olympic committee said in a statement. "The answer was received from the IOC that in accordance with the Olympic charter it is not possible to do this."