Ukrainian skeleton slider withdrawn from Olympics after ‘refusing to adhere’ to IOC rules on helmet honoring dead compatriots
Ukrainian skeleton slider withdrawn from Olympics after ‘refusing to adhere’ to IOC rules on helmet honoring dead compatriots
Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladylsav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics for “refusing to adhere” to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) athlete expression guidelines regarding his insistence on wearing a helmet featuring images of athletes killed during the war in Ukraine during competition.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych early Thursday in an attempt to break the impasse, but the Ukrainian stood his ground, resulting in the disqualification.
In a statement, the IOC said, “Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning.
“The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules.
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has therefore decided with regret to withdraw his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
Latvia skeleton coach Ivo Steinbergs told Reuters that a protest has been sent to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) requesting Heraskevych’s reinstatement
The move to disqualify Heraskevych comes after he told CNN Sports’ Amanda Davies on Tuesday that he would defy the IOC and wear the helmet in competition, saying, “I wear this helmet two days ago, yesterday, today. I will wear it tomorrow and I will wear it for the race day.
“These people sacrificed their lives and because of that, I am able to be here today. I’m able to be at the Olympics, and I will not betray them.”
On Wednesday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a news conference that he wanted Heraskyevch to compete and “have his moment, that’s very, very important” but insisted that the his helmet cannot be worn on the field of play.
“We would encourage him to express his grief. We feel his grief. We expressly want him to do that but in the end let me be clear: it’s not the message, it’s the place that counts,” Adams added.
Heraskevych topped the standings topped the standings after the fifth training session in the skeleton Wednesday, before opting out of the sixth and final training session.
The men’s competition is currently underway.
