IOC disqualifies Ukrainian skeleton racer over remembrance helmet at 2026 Winter Olympics

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych will not be able to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games due to a disqualification imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Source: Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company

Details: Heraskevych, a 27-year-old from Kyiv, was suspended from competition, as during training sessions, he wore a remembrance helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The men's skeleton event at the 2026 Winter Olympics will begin on 12 February at 10:30 Kyiv time. Vladyslav Heraskevych was scheduled to compete wearing starting number 11.

Update: The IOC has issued a press release on the disqualification of Vladyslav Heraskevych:

"The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC's Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules."

IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych in the morning, but he rejected the compromise proposed by the organisation. The International Olympic Committee banned the use of the remembrance helmet during races but suggested it be shown in the mixed zone, which Heraskevych refused.

On the eve of the competition, Heraskevych urged the IOC to resolve the dispute, calling on the International Olympic Committee to lift the ban on the helmet and to provide electric generators to Ukrainian sports facilities.

Background:

• On 9 February, the IOC banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing in a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes who were killed during the war. The Kyiv native was offered an alternative option – a black armband. In response, the Ukrainian athlete stated that despite the ban, he planned to compete wearing the helmet.
• The situation gained worldwide attention, and Heraskevych received support from many well-known figures, including Olha Kharlan, a Ukrainian sabre fencer, and Volodymyr Klitschko, a Ukrainian boxer. Ukrainian athletes and members of the military have also expressed their support.
• The Ukrainian parliament called on the IOC to allow Ukrainian athletes to use symbols honouring the memory of fallen Ukrainian athletes and defenders of Ukraine, and to reconsider the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions.
• During training sessions, the Ukrainian skeleton racer posted a best time of 56.40 seconds, the fourth-best result among 25 athletes.

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