US EditionUkrainian athlete ‘banned’ from wearing anti-Russia helmet bearing faces of war victims
The IOC cited Rule 50 banning political statements but allowed a black armband; over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died in the war, officials said.
- On Feb. 9, 2026, Vladyslav Heraskevych, Ukrainian skeleton athlete, was told he cannot wear his helmet showing fallen teammates but may wear a black armband, the IOC said.
- Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states the helmet, which depicts athletes killed since 2022, was intended as a tribute, but the IOC said it breached the rule.
- During scheduled runs this week, Heraskevych wore the tribute helmet on Tuesday and did not appear to wear a black armband, with more runs scheduled before Thursday's race.
- Facing the restriction, Heraskevych and officials plan to prepare an official request to the IOC and fight to compete in the exact helmet, with Mark Adams saying `I think what we've tried to do is to address his desires with compassion and understanding`.
- Precedents from previous Games show the IOC's responses to symbolic gestures have varied, with Ukraine's foreign ministry citing over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed during Russia's invasion.
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Ukraine Olympian banned from wearing helmet tribute to war dead
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych said at the Winter Olympics Tuesday he will wear a helmet in competition commemorating athletes and coaches from his country killed since the Russian invasion, despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) barring him from doing so. After wearing the helmet during his training session earlier in the day, Heraskevych told…
IOC Bans Ukrainian Athlete's Tribute Helmet
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych won't be allowed to slide in 2026 wearing a helmet that shows the faces of compatriot athletes killed in the war with Russia, the International Olympic Committee has told Ukraine's Olympic delegation. In a letter shared with CBS News , the IOC said it understands athletes'...
IOC's decision on Heraskevych is 'profoundly wrong', says Ukraine PM
KYIV, Feb 10 : The International Olympic Committee's decision banning Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from using a helmet with images of Ukrainian sportspeople killed during the war was "profoundly wrong", Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Tuesday."More than 650 Ukrainian athletes will
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