"He insisted on wearing a helmet with images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was disqualified for refusing to replace it as The International Olympic Committee demanded. "This is price of our dignity," Heraskevych wrote on Instagram after learning he had been disqualified. Ukrainians supported him by posting photos on social media with the caption "Remembrance is not a violation," referring to the IOC decision that portraits of those killed in war constituted a political statement that is prohibited at the Olympics."
"Among those showing solidarity with the athlete were a lot of Ukrainian soldiers, taking support photos on the front line. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the athlete, writing that his helmet is "a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and what the price of the fight for independence is." Later Zelenskyy awarded the skeleton racer the Order of Liberty for his "selfless service to the Ukrainian people.""
Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from the Milan Cortina Games after refusing to replace a helmet displaying images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's full-scale invasion. The International Olympic Committee demanded removal of the helmet, ruling such portraits constituted a prohibited political statement. Heraskevych wrote, "This is price of our dignity," and Ukrainians posted solidarity photos under the caption "Remembrance is not a violation." Many Ukrainian soldiers also posed in support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him and awarded the Order of Liberty. The ban came amid intense winter conditions and renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
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