Disqualified Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Returns Home to Launch Fundraiser
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has returned to a Kyiv grappling with severe power, heating, and water disruptions, yet he finds profound solace in being home after his controversial disqualification from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. "Despite all that, home is the warmest place," Heraskevych told The Associated Press on Wednesday, standing in Kyiv's central square as temperatures plunged to around minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit).
Olympic Disqualification Over War Tribute Helmet
Heraskevych, widely considered a potential medal contender, was disqualified approximately 45 minutes before his scheduled competition on 12 February. This decisive action followed his refusal to comply with a last-minute plea from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove a helmet honouring more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since Russia's full-scale invasion four years ago. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) subsequently rejected Heraskevych's appeal against both the IOC and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation the following day. However, his race had already commenced, rendering competition impossible even if his appeal had succeeded.
Recounting the events, Heraskevych described a conversation with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, held roughly an hour before the race, as respectful but ultimately unproductive. "Unfortunately, we were not heard," he stated, adding that IOC representatives failed to provide a clear explanation of how his helmet violated specific Olympic rules.
Leveraging Global Attention for a New Initiative
The controversy surrounding the helmet garnered significant international media attention. Heraskevych now plans to leverage this newfound spotlight to launch a major fundraising initiative dedicated to supporting the families of the fallen Ukrainians depicted on his helmet. "It wasn't me who drew attention to Ukraine — it was them," he emphasised. "It is their voices that are heard very loudly."
President Coventry has consistently defended the disqualification, citing established guidelines for athlete expression at the Olympics. These guidelines stipulate that "the focus on the field of play during competitions and official ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes' performances." Notably, Heraskevych never reached the field of play for his actual competition.
Allegations of Inconsistent Enforcement
Heraskevych has questioned what he perceives as inconsistent rule enforcement by the IOC. He pointed to the display of a Russian flag on the helmet of Italian snowboarder Roland Fischnaller, which did not result in apparent sanction. Fischnaller's helmet featured multiple flags as a tribute to all past Olympic sites where he had competed, including the 2014 Sochi Games. Heraskevych further claimed that he and other Ukrainian athletes observed Russian flags in the stands at Olympic venues, despite an IOC prohibition.
Russian athletes have not competed under their national flag at a Winter Olympics since the doping-tainted 2014 Sochi Games. Some are currently participating as "neutral athletes" without national symbols. Ukraine's sports minister recently expressed concern that IOC actions may indicate an impending easing of restrictions against Russian athletes. "I told her that, from the outside, based on what I read in the media, it looks like you are playing along with Russia," Heraskevych recounted of his conversation with President Coventry.
Personal Sacrifice and Future Support
Following their meeting, President Coventry stated that Heraskevych and his father inquired about what the IOC could do for Ukraine, specifically addressing urgent needs like generators for the country's severely damaged power grid. She expressed willingness to work with them to seek assistance from governments and leaders, noting that "the IOC has, in the last few years, given over $10 million to Ukraine, to the NOC, to sports, to athletes." The IOC has not indicated whether it will contribute directly to Heraskevych's new fundraising initiative.
For Heraskevych, his steadfast refusal came at a significant personal cost. He began training in skeleton with his father in 2014, a time when the sport was virtually non-existent in Ukraine. Without established infrastructure or senior teammates, they had to forge their own path. Heraskevych would likely have been a legitimate medal contender in Cortina, having finished no worse than sixth in any of his five official training runs and recording the fastest time in one session.
"It truly hurts, and we have really been working toward this for a very long time," he admitted. Ultimately, Heraskevych expresses no regret over his decision to compete wearing the tribute helmet. He noted that the portraits represent only a fraction of the "countless" friends and acquaintances he has lost during the war. "Many people I knew left us far too early, at the age when they should have been starting families and building their lives," he said solemnly. "Instead, we now have death in their place — and it hurts."
