Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo for refusing to follow an order from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compete without a helmet displaying the faces of his fellow athletes and countrymen killed during the war with Russia — more than 20 in total.
The IOC had previously informed him that his decision “was not in accordance” with the Olympic Charter and that he was not allowed to wear the helmet, warning of today’s expected consequences. Despite this, he wore it during training, and today once again said NO, asserting his right to honor the memory of his fallen colleagues.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry personally met Heraskevych at the top of the track before the skeleton race, but he told her he “was not considering any form of compromise,” rejecting even the offered alternative of wearing a black floral helmet in mourning, which itself would have set a precedent.
Vladislav Heraskevych 🇺🇦 disqualifié pour son casque mémoriel : https://t.co/5zqzR4k9Iq pic.twitter.com/LfQflKdotE
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 12, 2026
“The IOC was very interested in having Heraskevych compete. Therefore, the IOC engaged with him to find the most respectful way to respond to his wish to commemorate his fellow athletes who lost their lives,” the IOC said in a statement.
The decision to “withdraw his accreditation” was made by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), and British media report that Heraskevych has announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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Source: Euronews; Foto: Tiziana FABI / AFP