Ukrainian skeleton racer says disqualification is "the price for our dignity"

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has commented on him being disqualified from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games for refusing to compete without his "remembrance helmet" featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Suspilne Sport, a Ukrainian sports television channel, citing Heraskevych

Quote: "I had arrived at the track prepared for the skeleton race but then there was a meeting with Ms Coventry where, I believe, they did not explain why I could not compete wearing my helmet.

I still believe we have broken no rules and we had every right to race wearing the helmet, like other athletes who did similar things in recent days at these Olympic Games.

After the conversation, the international federation, the IBSF [The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation], handed me a document claiming that I had violated the Olympic Charter and would therefore be removed from the competition."

Details: Heraskevych said he had received no response from the IOC chief regarding past incidents of a similar nature. He also requested an explanation for the Russian flags displayed in the stands.

Quote: "I asked Ms Coventry further questions and drew comparisons with other athletes' cases, but I received no explanation. I was given no reason regarding the Russian flag, why no sanctions were applied, or why a skier is allowed to compete with a message for a deceased teammate while we are not. In their letter, they noted that I had publicly stated these were victims of the war, even though, of course, you cannot tell just by looking at the helmet. I do not see this helmet as having any political context, and I believe I have the right to compete while wearing it.

The arguments she put forward were that they support Ukraine and stand in solidarity with Ukraine. There are big doubts about that, especially after this decision. There was no conflict with the IOC president. She suggested we could put the helmet aside and wear another for the competition, then take my helmet into the mixed zone. But I believe I should have the same rights that other athletes have had in other sports from other countries. For some reason I didn't get those rights today."

More details: Heraskevych said that he and his team will prepare an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over what he called an unfair disqualification.

Quote: "We will probably prepare a case for CAS and keep fighting for our rights. I believe we broke no rules. As far as I understand, some teams have protested this decision, foreign teams. I am very grateful to them but I am not taking part in the competition, it is already ongoing, I missed my start. We have no more events and as far as I understand under the rules we have no chance to compete again at these Olympic Games."

More details: In conclusion, Heraskevych said he does not regret his actions because he was, first and foremost, defending the memory of athletes killed as a result of Russia's actions.

Quote: "We have come a very long way to these Olympic Games but it is also very symbolic for me that, on this day four years ago, I held up a sign saying 'No war in Ukraine' and I believe that this message is still relevant. Today we paid the price for our dignity. I believe I broke no rules. I defended Ukraine's interests and not so much the country as the memory of these athletes. They deserve it. Sadly, the IOC thinks differently. We will keep looking into the reasons."

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.
• It emerged on 12 February that Vladyslav Heraskevych had been disqualified from the event. The IOC said the decision was due to his "refusal to comply with the IOC's Guidelines on Athlete Expression".

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