Controversial Helmet: Ukrainian Athlete Disqualified from the Olympic Games

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the official competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The decision stems from the athlete's refusal to compete without a helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war, according to dw.com.

According to committee representatives, Heraskevych's "Helmet of Memory" does not comply with International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations regarding athlete expression.

"Despite the final meeting held this morning with the Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Kirsty Coventry, Heraskevych did not consider any compromise options," the official statement read.

The helmet worn by Vladyslav Heraskevych features images of sports figures who lost their lives following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The athlete views his actions not as political propaganda, but as a moral duty.

"I disagree with the IOC's decision because we have not broken any rules. There is no political propaganda, discrimination, or racism on this helmet," Heraskevych stated prior to his disqualification.