Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Vladyslav Heraskevych Is Disqualified from Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina Over Helmet Honoring War Victims

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to remove a helmet that paid tribute to Ukrainian athletes killed in the ongoing war with Russia.

The 27-year-old had insisted on wearing the helmet, which displayed images of fallen compatriots, despite repeated warnings from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Helmet Sparks Controversy

Heraskevych’s helmet depicted Ukrainian sportsmen and women who lost their lives following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

The IOC said the athlete violated its athlete expression guidelines, which forbid political gestures during competition.

Despite the ban, Heraskevych remained steadfast, posting on social media: “This is the price of our dignity”, alongside a photograph of his helmet.

Ukrainian Officials Condemn IOC Decision

The move drew sharp criticism from Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the athlete’s right to honor his compatriots, while Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga labelled the IOC decision a “moment of shame”.

Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi indicated potential legal action could follow.

Ukrainian fans outside the Cortina Sliding Centre expressed anger and sorrow.

Irina Nalivayko, from Kyiv, said: “These people that he showed in his helmet, they’re real people who died because of the Russian invasion. It’s unacceptable.”

Last-Minute Attempts to Resolve the Standoff

IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych on Thursday morning in an emotional effort to persuade him to comply.

Video footage shows Coventry visibly upset during the discussion.

The IOC offered compromises: the athlete could display a plain black armband during competition or show his helmet in the mixed zone immediately after his run.

Heraskevych declined both options, maintaining his stance.

Athlete Speaks Out

At the Cortina Sliding Centre, Heraskevych called the IOC’s decision “totally wrong”, citing other cases in the Olympics where athletes were treated differently.

He added: “I have really bad thoughts, and I believe that this situation also plays along with Russian propaganda.”

The athlete has the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the CAS confirmed it has not yet received any notification from him.

Political and Emotional Fallout

The incident has highlighted the tension between athlete expression and Olympic neutrality.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stressed that the decision was about location and regulations, not Heraskevych’s message.

Ukraine’s reaction, however, underscores the human cost of the war.

Tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have died, cities remain in ruins, and millions have fled their homes since the invasion.

Heraskevych’s helmet was seen as a personal tribute to this suffering, and his disqualification has drawn international attention to the intersection of sports and politics.

What’s Next?

Heraskevych can appeal the disqualification to the CAS, potentially delaying final outcomes.

The situation may also trigger debates on how the IOC handles political or humanitarian expressions by athletes.

Meanwhile, Ukraine could pursue legal or diplomatic channels to challenge the decision.

For Heraskevych personally, his competitive career in these Olympics has ended, but his stance has amplified global awareness of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the sacrifices of its citizens.

Summary

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet honoring compatriots killed in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The IOC cited a violation of athlete expression guidelines, despite offers to display a black armband or show the helmet after competition.

Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Sybiga, condemned the decision, calling it a “moment of shame”.

Heraskevych may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the case has sparked debate over the limits of political and humanitarian gestures in international sports.