High Stakes on a Custom Helmet (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych of Ukraine was pulled from the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s event on Thursday after he refused to remove a helmet paying tribute to more than 20 compatriots killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion four years ago.[1][2]
High Stakes on a Custom Helmet
A medal seemed within reach for Heraskevych, who placed fourth at last year’s world championships and posted top training times at the Milan Cortina Games.[1] He arrived with a personalized helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes and coaches lost to the conflict. The design captured national attention during practice sessions, where officials permitted its use.
Heraskevych viewed the helmet as essential to his presence at the Games. Those depicted included weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ischenko, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko, diver and coach Mykyta Kozubenko, shooter Oleksiy Habarov, and dancer Daria Kurdel.[2] At speeds around 120 kph down the icy track, the images blurred for spectators, yet they carried profound personal weight for the racer.
The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and IOC drew the line at competition. They cited guidelines prohibiting demonstrations or statements on the field of play. Heraskevych trained with the helmet for days, but race officials demanded a switch roughly 45 minutes before the first runs.[1]
Final Plea Falls Short
IOC President Kirsty Coventry rerouted from Alpine skiing to the sliding center for a private talk with Heraskevych. The meeting lasted about 10 minutes, but no agreement emerged. Coventry later explained the challenge lay not in the message of remembrance, but in maintaining neutrality during events.[1]
Officials proposed alternatives, including a black armband or displaying the helmet off the ice. Heraskevych declined. “I believe, deeply, the IBSF and IOC understand that I’m not violating any rules,” he told reporters afterward.[1] The jury disqualified him, and the IOC withdrew his competition accreditation, though he retained his athlete credential to stay on site.
Heraskevych appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, requesting a ruling by Friday. The first two runs proceeded without him that day, with the final pair set for later.[1]
Outrage and Comparisons Emerge
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the outcome on social media. “Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” he wrote.[1] Ukrainian skier Kateryna Kotsar called it a disgrace to the Olympic ideal, hailing Heraskevych as a champion regardless.
Heraskevych highlighted perceived inconsistencies. He noted a U.S. skater displaying a photo of deceased parents in the kiss-and-cry area and an Israeli competitor wearing a kippah listing names from the 1972 Munich attack. In 2022 Beijing, the IOC cleared his own “No war in Ukraine” sign as a peace plea.[1]
- Rule 50 bars political, religious, or racial propaganda in Olympic venues.
- Russian and Belarusian athletes compete as neutrals without flags or anthems.
- IOC emphasizes a “level playing field” free of messaging during competition.[3]
His father and coach, Mykhailo Heraskevych, lamented shattered dreams. Israeli slider Jared Firestone expressed admiration for the Ukrainian’s principles.
Neutrality Versus Expression
The case reignited debates over Rule 50, which aims to preserve Olympic unity amid global tensions. IOC spokesman Mark Adams stressed that unrestricted displays on the field would create chaos. “Sport without rules cannot function,” he said.[1]
Heraskevych argued his helmet honored sacrifice, not politics, enabling his Olympic participation. Coventry acknowledged the tribute’s power, tears visible after the meeting. The episode unfolded as about a dozen Russians and seven Belarusians raced as individuals.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Heraskevych sacrificed a medal shot to uphold remembrance of war victims.
- IOC prioritizes field-of-play rules to ensure neutrality for all competitors.
- The dispute underscores tensions between personal expression and Olympic protocol.
Heraskevych’s stand spotlights the human cost of conflict in sport’s spotlight. A potential podium finish gave way to a deeper legacy. What do you think about the balance between tribute and rules? Tell us in the comments.
