US EditionUkraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych out of Winter Olympics over banned helmet honoring war dead
Heraskevych refused to wear an IOC-banned helmet honoring 20+ Ukrainian athletes killed in the war, leading to his disqualification just before the men's skeleton race.
- 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.
269 Articles
269 Articles
This is not the first time the IOC has sanctioned an athlete for a political message.
The IOC bans Skeletoni Vladislav Heraskevytsch's helmet at the Olympic Games because it is supposed to be a political message.
Ukrainian Olympian Disqualified Over Helmet Honoring Athletes Killed In War
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified at the 2026 Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet honoring athletes killed in Russia's war on Ukraine, which features portraits of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Mid Florida Newspapers
The Hamilton SpectatorReactions to the banning of Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Olympics
Notable reactions to Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych being banned from the Milan Cortina Games because of his insistence on wearing a helmet that pays tribute to athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia.
mannheim24.de
op-online.deThe Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified at Olympia because of his helmet test. Olympia reporter Mathias Müller classifys the case.
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