Ukraine Skeleton Player Removed from Olympics for Helmet Design

A Ukrainian skeleton player, Vladyslav Heraskevych, has been removed from the 2026 Winter Olympics. His helmet showed pictures of Ukrainian athletes who died in the war. The Olympic committee said this broke their rules about political messages.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Tension Surrounds Athlete Expression Amidst Olympic Competition

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has seen a notable incident where Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from competition. This action stems from the use of a helmet featuring tributes to Ukrainian athletes who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. Heraskevych intended to use the helmet as a gesture of remembrance and to maintain focus on the war, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled it contravened regulations on political messaging and athlete expression. The disqualification occurred shortly before his event, leading to significant discussion about the boundaries of athlete speech and tribute within the Olympic framework.

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The situation unfolded in the days leading up to and on February 12, 2026, the day of the men's skeleton race.

Read More: Italian Athletes Do Well at Home in Winter Olympics

Winter Olympics 2026: Ukrainian athlete kicked out of skeleton over helmet tribute, Brignone wins women’s Super G – live - 1

  • Prior to February 12, 2026: Vladyslav Heraskevych, representing Ukraine in skeleton, prepared for the Milan-Cortina Games with a specially designed helmet. This helmet displayed images of fellow Ukrainian athletes, including weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ischenko, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, and others, who had died as a result of the conflict that began in 2022. Heraskevych, who is also his country's flag bearer, stated these individuals were "part of this Olympic family" and he wished to honor their sacrifices.

  • Monday, February 9, 2026: Heraskevych trained wearing the helmet, aware of the IOC's stance. The IOC contacted Ukraine's Olympic committee regarding the helmet.

  • Days before February 12, 2026: The IOC communicated its ruling that the helmet violated regulations concerning political statements in the field of play. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams expressed a desire for Heraskevych to compete and "have his moment," but insisted the helmet's design could not be used.

  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026: Heraskevych continued to train with the helmet, despite the IOC's warnings.

  • Thursday, February 12, 2026:

  • Early morning: IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych in an attempt to resolve the impasse. Heraskevych maintained his position, refusing to alter the helmet.

  • Shortly before the men's skeleton race: The IOC announced Heraskevych's disqualification from the event. This decision was made approximately 21 minutes before the first round of the race.

  • After the meeting: Coventry spoke to reporters, reportedly with tears in her eyes, reflecting the emotional weight of the situation.

  • Following Disqualification: Heraskevych announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Evidence of the Helmet's Design and IOC's Stance

The helmet in question bore images of Ukrainian athletes who perished in the war, serving as a memorial to their lives.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Hurt in Ski Race Crash

  • Visual Evidence: Images on the helmet included weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ischenko, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko, diving athlete and coach Mykyta Kozubenko, shooter Oleksiy Habarov, and dancer Daria Kurdel. Heraskevych described some of them as his friends.

  • Athlete's Statement: Heraskevych articulated his purpose: "To pay tribute to them, to people who sacrificed their lives because of this sacrifice, I’m able today to be here, and for me it’s important to pay tribute to them and pay honor to their families." He also stated, "Some of them were my friends."

  • IOC Regulations: IOC spokesperson Mark Adams indicated the ruling was based on "any messaging, any form of messaging" and "rule[s] regarding expression," distinct from but related to "Rule 50" which addresses political, religious, or racial propaganda. The IOC's official statement cited Heraskevych's "refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines."

  • IOC's Stated Position: The IOC stated, "Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning." They added that athletes are permitted to express views during press conferences and on social media, but not during the event itself.

Heraskevych's Stance: Unwavering Tribute

Vladyslav Heraskevych remained resolute in his decision to honor fallen Ukrainian athletes, even when faced with disqualification. His determination highlights a perceived duty to acknowledge those lost due to the conflict.

Read More: Matt Weston Leads Skeleton Race, Close to Olympic Gold

Winter Olympics 2026: Ukrainian athlete kicked out of skeleton over helmet tribute, Brignone wins women’s Super G – live - 2

  • Commitment to Tribute: Heraskevych expressed his intent to use the Olympic platform to keep attention on the war, stating, "I’m able today to be here, and for me it’s important to pay tribute to them and pay honor to their families."

  • Refusal to Compromise: He rejected proposed compromises, with Mark Adams noting, "Adams said that represents a compromise; Heraskevych said he’s not interested." Heraskevych insisted he would "not compromise on the issue."

  • Desire for a "Moment": Despite the circumstances, IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with him, emphasizing, "We really, really want him to have his moment." However, Heraskevych's adherence to his tribute plan precluded this.

  • Planned Appeal: Heraskevych indicated his intention to challenge the IOC's decision through legal channels, stating he is "planning to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)."

IOC's Position: Upholding Expression Guidelines

The International Olympic Committee maintained its position that Heraskevych's helmet design violated established guidelines on athlete expression, citing the need to preserve the apolitical nature of the Games.

Read More: Spurs Look at Tactics and Player Choices

  • Rule Application: The IOC's stance was that the helmet constituted a breach of regulations surrounding political statements within the competitive arena. They stated the ruling was due to "refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines."

  • Efforts at Resolution: The IOC made efforts to find a solution, with Kirsty Coventry meeting Heraskevych and Mark Adams stating they wanted him "to compete and 'have his moment.'"

  • Distinction in Expression: The IOC drew a distinction between permissible and impermissible forms of expression, allowing for statements during press conferences and on social media, but not on competition equipment or during events.

  • Preventing Political Messaging: The core concern articulated by the IOC was to prevent "any form of messaging" that could be construed as political within the field of play.

Alternative Events and Broader Olympic Context

While the Heraskevych situation garnered significant attention, other events also took place on February 12, 2026.

Read More: Ukrainian Athlete Removed from Olympics for Helmet Tribute

Winter Olympics 2026: Ukrainian athlete kicked out of skeleton over helmet tribute, Brignone wins women’s Super G – live - 3

  • Women's Super G: In alpine skiing, Federica Brignone of Italy achieved a top position in the women's Super G event.

  • Men's Skeleton Race: The men's skeleton event proceeded with other competitors. Matt Weston secured a strong lead heading into the second day of his competition.

Expert Analysis and Societal Impact

The disqualification has prompted discussion among observers regarding the balance between athlete activism and Olympic regulations.

  • Quote from a sports commentator: "This situation is a stark reminder of the tightrope athletes walk when they wish to express themselves on issues larger than sport. The IOC's mandate is to remain neutral, but for athletes from nations in conflict, neutrality can feel like silence."

  • Analysis of Rule 50: Experts have pointed to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which generally prohibits demonstrations or political, religious, or racial propaganda. However, its application to personal tributes, particularly those honoring fallen compatriots, remains a point of contention and has been subject to varying interpretations.

  • Athlete Solidarity: Heraskevych's gesture was seen by many as a powerful act of solidarity with his nation. His decision to prioritize this tribute over participation highlights a deep-seated personal and national imperative.

Conclusion and Implications

The disqualification of Vladyslav Heraskevych from the 2026 Winter Olympics underscores a persistent challenge in international sport: how to navigate the space for athlete expression within a framework designed to be politically neutral. Heraskevych's use of a helmet to memorialize fellow athletes killed in the war, while deeply personal and nationalistic, was deemed by the IOC to fall outside its guidelines for acceptable messaging during competition.

Read More: Top Girls' Basketball Teams Stand Out in Southern California

Winter Olympics 2026: Ukrainian athlete kicked out of skeleton over helmet tribute, Brignone wins women’s Super G – live - 4

The IOC's actions, though framed as adherence to established rules, have led to Heraskevych's exclusion from his event and a planned appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This case raises questions about:

  • The scope of athlete expression: Where does permissible tribute end and prohibited political statement begin, particularly in times of conflict?

  • The IOC's enforcement of its rules: Are the guidelines sufficiently clear and equitable to address diverse forms of personal and national expression?

  • The potential impact on athlete morale: How might such decisions affect athletes facing significant personal or national circumstances?

The outcome of Heraskevych's appeal to the CAS will be significant, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving athlete tributes and expression at the Olympic Games. The broader implication is the ongoing debate about the role of sport in political discourse and the personal choices athletes make when their national contexts are marked by conflict.

Key Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the Ukrainian skeleton player removed from the Olympics?
He was removed because his helmet had pictures of Ukrainian athletes who died in the war. The Olympic committee said this was a political message and broke their rules.
Q: What did the player want to do with the helmet?
He wanted to honor the Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives in the war. He felt it was important to remember them.
Q: What did the Olympic committee say?
The committee said the helmet broke rules about political messages during the games. They wanted him to compete but not with that helmet.
Q: Will the player try to compete again?
The player plans to ask a special court to review the decision. He wants to appeal the disqualification.
Q: What is the main point of this story?
It shows the difficulty of balancing athlete expression with the Olympic rules against political messages, especially during times of conflict.