Ukrainian skeleton star out of Games over banned helmet protest

"CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy - Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, a likely medal contender at the Milan Cortina Games, was not allowed to compete Thursday after refusing a last-minute plea from the International Olympic Committee to use a helmet other than the one that honors more than 20 of his country's athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. The decision came roughly 45 minutes before the start of"

"He received written word Thursday from the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, which said his decision to wear the helmet was "inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression." The IOC asked -- pleaded might be the better word -- for him to wear a different helmet for races and offered concessions such as the right to wear a black armband or even the ability to display the helmet once he was off the ice."

"'I believe, deeply, the IBSF and IOC understand that I'm not violating any rules,' Heraskevych said. 'Also, I would say (it's) painful that it really looks like discrimination because many athletes already were expressing themselves. ... They didn't face the same things. So, suddenly, just the Ukrainian athlete in this Olympic Games will be disqualified for the helmet.' IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who was slated to be in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Thursday to see Alpine skiing, went to the sliding center instead to meet Heraskevych."

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing after he refused an IOC request to replace a helmet that honors more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. The IBSF cited his decision as inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression and notified him roughly 45 minutes before the race. The IOC offered alternatives including a black armband and displaying the helmet off the ice. Heraskevych maintained he was not violating rules and called the enforcement discriminatory. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met him but could not change his decision.

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