Ukrainian Olympian banned from Winter Games over helmet showing compatriots killed in Russia's war

February 12, 2026

TL;DR

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete, is out of the Milan Cortina Games.
Heraskevych refused the IOC's demand to remove a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the war.
The IOC stated the helmet violated rules against political statements on the Olympic field of play.
Heraskevych plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych but could not reach a compromise.

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