The Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladislav Heraskevych displays the memorial helmet that resulted in his ban.

A Ukrainian skeleton racer has been banned from competing at the Winter Olympics after wearing a helmet honoring athletes who have died in the Ukraine War. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) set out its reasoning in a lengthy statement this morning after Vladyslav Heraskevych had questioned whether “this is the price of our dignity” on

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not happy with the International Olympics Committee. A Ukrainian athlete has been barred from competing due to a "controversial" helmet. The athlete was disqualified for wearing a helmet to honor victims in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will not competeafter refusing a last-minute plea from the IOC to use a helmet other than the one that honors more than 20 of his country's athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia.

MILAN (AP) — Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak wrapped up his Olympics with a disappointing men's free skate Friday night, then had to endure waiting for his score while Russian athlete Petr Gumennik sat in the leader's chair about 10 feet away from him.

One of the biggest stories to come to the forefront during the opening week of the 2026 Winter Olympics surrounded Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was banned from competing because of his custom helmet.

IOC disqualifies Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for helmet honoring war dead, sparking criticism from President Zelenskyy.

The International Olympic Committee said that the helmet wouldn’t be allowed in competition, citing a rule against making political statements