Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete Disqualified From Olympics Over Helmet Dispute

"Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton pilot, will not be allowed to compete in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games after refusing to comply with guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In a statement on February 12, the IOC ruled that the helmet Heraskevych intended to wear -- which featured images of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's invasion -- did not meet competition rules."

"The IOC stated that despite multiple exchanges and in-person meetings between the committee and Heraskevych, including with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the Ukrainian athlete would not consider any form of compromise. He was notified of his disqualification shortly before the start of his competition on February 12, and his team said they plan to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

A Ukrainian skeleton pilot was disqualified from the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games after refusing to follow IOC guidelines regarding a helmet that displayed images of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's invasion. The IOC said multiple exchanges and in-person meetings, including with its president, failed to produce a compromise. The athlete was notified of the disqualification shortly before his event and intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Ukraine's Olympic Committee backed the athlete and will not boycott the games. Government officials and the president publicly supported the athlete and criticized the IOC's decision.

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