Ukrainian Skeleton Star Disqualified Over War Tribute Helmet, Calls It Russian Propaganda Win
Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton racer, has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet featuring images of war victims from his homeland, accusing the Games of promoting Russian propaganda. The 26-year-old athlete met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry on Thursday morning but stood firm on wearing the memorial helmet, leading to his disqualification less than an hour before his scheduled competition.
Defiance Against Olympic Rules
Heraskevych argued that giving in would betray those who lost their lives in the conflict, even though he had clocked the fastest training time and was prepared to abandon his medal chances. The IOC reiterated that the helmet contravenes Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political, religious, or racial propaganda in Olympic venues. Despite Russia being banned from the Games since invading Ukraine nearly four years ago, with 13 athletes competing under a neutral flag, Heraskevych claimed the Olympics are playing into Russian narratives.
"I believe this Olympic Games is playing along with Russian propaganda," said Heraskevych, 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 IOC not allowing us to compete in this helmet was treated very well in Russia." He cited comments from Russian media, including Olympic champion Alexander Tikhanov, who dismissed Ukraine as a nation, as evidence of how the situation fuels propaganda.
Helmet Tribute and Emotional Meeting
The helmet pays tribute to athletes who died in the conflict, such as teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov. Coventry visited Heraskevych and his father at the Cortina Sliding Centre, pleading with him to wear a black armband instead and showcase the helmet after competing. She was photographed leaving the meeting in tears, stating, "I was not meant to be here, but felt that it was really important to come and talk to him face-to-face. I think this is a difficult situation that we are all in. Again, I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with the messaging."
Accusations of Double Standards
Heraskevych accused the IOC of double standards, comparing his tribute to American figure skater Maxim Naumov, who held up a photo of his parents killed in a plane crash while waiting for scores. "Many people told me don’t do it, and that I have proved my point, but I can’t betray others," he added. "I feel emptiness. I think she [Coventry] was nervous about the situation. I want to believe that because she felt sorry. I still believe that we didn’t violate any rules." He also requested the IOC to allow him to compete, issue a public apology for stress caused, and provide electrical generators for Ukrainian sports facilities under attack.
Background and Reactions
The IOC first learned of the helmet on Monday and informed Heraskevych of the rule breach on Tuesday. He revealed his defiance in a press conference, stating, "I want peace in my country, and I believe we should honour people who sacrificed their lives. 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. I believe for nothing, they were killed for nothing." He noted that other athletes have helmets with national symbols or designs, yet his was singled out for inspection.
Great Britain’s Matt Weston, who leads the men’s skeleton competition, expressed sympathy, saying, "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. I chat to him all the time and he’s kind of a big personality within the circuit." The IOC stated that athletes can express grief at multi-faith centres in Olympic villages and that the disqualification was decided by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation based on non-compliance with rules.
In the U.K., TNT Sports on discovery+ will broadcast over 850 hours of live action from Milano Cortina 2026, covering every sport, venue, and medal event.
