A prominent Ukrainian athlete has been disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet designed as a tribute to individuals killed in the ongoing war in Ukraine, reports Baltimore Chronicle. Vladyslav Heraskevych, a medal contender in the men’s skeleton event and Ukraine’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony last Friday, was informed of the decision just hours before he was scheduled to compete on Thursday morning.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that it “regretfully withdrew his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games” following discussions with Heraskevych. Officials emphasized that the decision stemmed from his refusal to compromise on the helmet, which displayed images meant to honor victims of the war in Ukraine. “I am disqualified from the race,” Heraskevych said afterward, adding that negotiations with the IOC had failed.
The IOC confirmed that it had made multiple efforts to reach a solution that would allow Heraskevych to compete while respecting his intentions. “The IOC was very keen for Mr. Heraskevych to participate. We discussed with him the most respectful way to commemorate fellow athletes who have died following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the committee said in a statement. “The essence of this case is not about the message,” an IOC representative noted. “It is about the location and manner in which he wished to express it.”
Heraskevych was permitted to wear the helmet during training sessions, and the IOC offered alternatives, including displaying the helmet after his run in the mixed zone or wearing a black armband as a temporary substitute. The athlete declined all alternatives. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that the decision adhered strictly to regulations: “It’s not about the messaging, it’s literally about the rules and the regulations. For safety and fairness, no messaging is permitted in the field of play.”
Following his disqualification, Heraskevych suggested that the treatment of Ukrainian athletes reflected discrimination, noting that athletes from other countries had expressed themselves without similar consequences. “A U.S. figure skater, Canadian freeskier, and Israeli skeleton athlete faced no restrictions. Yet here, a Ukrainian athlete is disqualified for a helmet that follows no explicit rule,” he said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the decision, calling it “a moment of shame for future generations.” He noted that Heraskevych “simply wanted to commemorate fellow athletes killed in war, which aligns with neither ethical nor regulatory violations. The IOC intimidated and lectured our athlete, discouraging any acknowledgment of global conflicts.”
The final decision came Thursday morning after a meeting between Heraskevych and Coventry, in which the IOC reiterated its position. Heraskevych confirmed that he would challenge the ruling, indicating plans to appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “We will continue to fight for our rights. From day one, I have disagreed with the IOC’s stance, and we will likely prepare a CAS case to defend them,” he said.
Earlier we wrote that Brad Karp resigns as Paul Weiss chairman after Jeffrey Epstein emails surface, Scott Barshay takes over
