US EditionUkrainian Skeleton Racer Heraskevych Disqualified Over Memorial Helmet at Milan Olympics
Heraskevych refused to remove his helmet honoring over 20 Ukrainian athletes killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, leading to his disqualification and planned appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games after refusing to remove a banned tribute helmet, officials told him at the Cortina d'Ampezzo sliding venue after a meeting with Kirsty Coventry.
- The IOC cited rules against political statements on the field of play, stating the helmet showing more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches violated these guidelines, with the IBSF calling the decision inconsistent with the Olympic Charter.
- He trained with the helmet on Tuesday and Wednesday despite IOC warnings, and the disqualification decision arrived roughly 45 minutes before the race after a three-day saga.
- Heraskevych's team plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but his chance to race is gone and he prioritized the helmet over a medal.
- Heraskevych and others flagged perceived inconsistency, with Heraskevych saying the IOC's decision looks like discrimination after allowing his 2022 'No war in Ukraine' sign, critics and his father condemned the ruling, and Coventry showed emotion afterward.
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Watauga Democrat
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