Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after he refused to remove his “helmet of memory,” which honored Ukrainian athletes and children killed in the ongoing war.
The decision was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) just 21 minutes before the first round of the men’s skeleton competition in Cortina on Thursday, following unsuccessful attempts to reach a compromise.
The IOC announced the disqualification in a statement, explaining that Heraskevych’s helmet violated their Guidelines on Athlete Expression. Despite the emotional significance of the helmet, which featured 24 images of war casualties, the IOC insisted it was not compliant with the competition’s regulations.
As a result, Heraskevych was stripped of his accreditation, effectively barring him from participating in the Games and entering the athletes’ village.
Vladyslav Heraskevych’s “helmet of memory”. Credit: Richard Heathcote / Getty
IOC’s refusal to compromise
The disqualification followed multiple discussions between Heraskevych and IOC officials, including a meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry. The IOC had offered him the option to wear a black armband instead, but Heraskevych stood firm, refusing to compromise.
“I never wanted a scandal with the IOC, and I did not create it,” Heraskevych said in response to the IOC’s actions. He also voiced his frustration over the distraction the controversy created, shifting attention away from the competition itself.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, visibly emotional, acknowledged the powerful message of remembrance carried by Heraskevych’s helmet. “No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging, it’s a powerful message, it’s a message of remembrance, of memory,”
Coventry explained per CNN. “The challenge was to find a solution for the field of play. Sadly we’ve not been able to find that solution.”
Reaction from the sports community
The decision has sparked outrage, with many within the skeleton community and beyond expressing their shock. British skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold criticized the IOC’s handling of the situation, stating per The Guardian, “It’s actually quite shocking… I think the IOC owes him an apology.”
Credit: Richard Heathcote / Getty
Yarnold and others noted that the helmet was a deeply personal and emotional tribute, and Heraskevych’s disqualification overshadowed his athletic achievements.
Despite the emotional toll of the decision, Heraskevych remains determined to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, with the competition already underway, his chances of successfully overturning the decision appear slim.