Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Winter Olympics Over War Memorial Helmet

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton racer, was disqualified from the Winter Olympics just an hour before competition after refusing to remove a helmet featuring images of war victims from his homeland. Following the decision, Heraskevych accused the Games of promoting Russian propaganda.

The 26-year-old athlete met with International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry on Thursday morning at the Cortina Sliding Centre, where she reportedly pleaded with him to wear a black armband instead and display the helmet after competing. Despite recording the fastest training time a day earlier and potentially being a medal contender, Heraskevych remained steadfast in his decision.

“I believe this Olympic Games is playing along with Russian propaganda,” Heraskevych said, who plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “We already saw a lot of Russian flags on a fence, on an athlete’s helmet, in the news, it’s everywhere.”

The helmet in question features tributes to Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov. Russia has been officially banned from the Olympics since invading Ukraine nearly four years ago, though 13 Russian athletes are competing under a neutral flag at the current Games.

The IOC cited Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Coventry was photographed leaving their meeting visibly emotional after failing to convince Heraskevych to temporarily abandon his protest.

“I was not meant to be here, but felt that it was really important to come and talk to him face-to-face,” Coventry said. “I think this is a difficult situation that we are all in. Again, I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with the messaging.”

Heraskevych accused the IOC of hypocrisy, pointing to American figure skater Maxim Naumov, who displayed a photo of his parents — victims of a fatal plane crash in Washington DC — while waiting for his scores earlier in the week. The Ukrainian athlete questioned why his tribute was treated differently.

“Many people told me don’t do it, and that I have proved my point, but I can’t betray others,” Heraskevych explained. “I want peace in my country, and I believe we should honor people who sacrificed their lives.”

The athlete also outlined demands for the IOC, including a public apology and the provision of electrical generators for Ukrainian sports facilities suffering from daily Russian attacks. He first revealed his plan to wear the controversial helmet at a press conference in Cortina’s town center after being notified by the IOC that it violated rules.

“I was at many funerals when I was in Ukraine, and it’s truly, truly terrible tragedy, and young people at such a young age were killed by the state,” he said. “I believe that they deserve to be here. I want to honor them and honor their families.”

In Heraskevych’s absence, Great Britain’s Matt Weston took the halfway lead in the men’s skeleton competition, 0.30 seconds ahead of Germany’s Axel Jungk. Weston, who considers Heraskevych a friend, expressed his sympathy: “On a personal level, I’m really sad that he’s missed out on being able to compete. I think that’s gutting for anyone.”

The IOC later clarified that the decision to withdraw Heraskevych’s accreditation was made by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation based on non-compliance with equipment rules. They added that athletes are permitted to “express grief with dignity and respect” at multi-faith centers in the Olympic villages.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between political expression and Olympic neutrality, particularly against the backdrop of a continuing war that has claimed thousands of lives in Ukraine.