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Heraskevych has been disqualified for his wearing a helmet bearing images of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics (AFP)
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych’s battle against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ends in defeat.
The IOC has officially disqualified Heraskevych from the ongoing 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics for his act of wearing a helmet bearing images of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.
🚨IOC statement 1/3Skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych not allowed to participate at Milano Cortina 2026 after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines
Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be…
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) February 12, 2026
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has therefore decided with regret to withdraw his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games,” an official statement from the IOC read.
“Despite multiple exchanges and in-person meetings between the IOC and Mr Heraskevych, the last one this morning with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, he did not consider any form of compromise.”
Heraskevych had worn the custom helmet during a training session in Cortina and intended to compete with it, using the Games as a platform to keep international attention on the war in Ukraine. The helmet features portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched shortly after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is approaching its fourth year and remains Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
In a social media post on Monday, Heraskevych said the IOC had banned the helmet from both training and competition — but also doubled down on his intent to wear it regardless.
He also stated the images on his helmet represent only a fraction of the athletes lost, including Olympians and Youth Olympic medallists such as his former teammate, figure skater Dmytro Sharpar.
Heraskevych, competing at his third Winter Games, has also been one of Ukraine’s most visible athlete-advocates.
Last week, he led a delegation of 46 Ukrainian athletes as flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Milan, alongside speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko.
(with agency inputs)
February 12, 2026, 14:00 IST
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