Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Thursday after refusing to remove a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed.
The decision was delivered approximately 45 minutes before the men’s skeleton competition was set to begin, culminating a three-day dispute. Heraskevych had worn the helmet, which bears the names and images of more than 20 fallen Ukrainian sports figures, during training runs. The IOC and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) ruled the helmet violated regulations prohibiting political statements on the field of play.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams stated the ruling was solely about location, not the message. “It’s simply the place. We wanted him before and after to express himself but for that one minute, that one minute of competition, we asked him not to make this expression,” Adams said. He framed the rule as protective, ensuring athletes are not pressured into unwanted statements. “It’s not about the message, not at all about the message. It’s simply about the sanctity of the field of play.”
The IBSF officially notified Heraskevych in writing that his helmet was “inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression.” The IOC had previously offered concessions, including permission to wear a black armband or to publicly display the memorial helmet after his event concluded.
In a last-minute attempt at resolution, IOC President Kirsty Coventry traveled to the sliding centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo. She met privately with Heraskevych around 8:15 a.m. for about 10 minutes but was unable to persuade him to change helmets. Following their discussion, Heraskevych was formally withdrawn from the competition.
The case highlights the stringent application of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits any demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda in Olympic sites, venues, or areas. The incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing debate about athlete activism at the Games, with the IOC maintaining a firm line on separating sport from politics during competition. Heraskevych’s withdrawal removes a potential medal contender from the Ukrainian team and underscores the limited space for protest gestures, even those honoring compatriots affected by conflict, within the official competition framework.
