Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych Out Of The Winter Olympics After Wearing Banned Helmet

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a custom helmet he intended to wear in competition that featured images of Ukrainians (including athletes and coaches) killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled the helmet violated Olympic rules banning political statements on the field of play, and his accreditation was withdrawn just before the men’s skeleton event, ending his Games.

Tribute helmet turns into Olympic controversy

Heraskevych, 27, brought to the Games a helmet showing more than 20 portraits of fellow Ukrainians killed during the full-scale invasion. He and the Ukrainian Olympic Committee insisted the helmet was a tribute to the fallen, not a political message, and pointed out it did not display slogans or explicit symbols.

The IOC disagreed, citing Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bars political, religious or racial propaganda during competition, and offered alternatives such as allowing him to wear a black armband instead – an option he rejected.

No Quarter Given by Heraskevych

Despite multiple meetings (including with IOC President Kirsty Coventry) and discussions aimed at compromise, Heraskevych stood firm that he would only compete wearing the helmet. The decision was announced shortly before the race, stripping him of the chance to compete and requiring him to leave Olympic venues.

The ruling has sparked debate over the boundaries of athlete expression at the Games, with critics saying the tribute was not overtly political and supporters arguing the IOC was obliged to enforce its neutrality rules.

Heraskevych plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, though reinstatement appears unlikely.