Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified because of his helmet. © APA/afp / TIZIANA FABI

Forbidden helmet: Athlete disqualified at the Olympics

In the dispute over his helmet with pictures of fellow athletes killed in the war, Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych has been excluded from the Olympic skeleton competition.

February 12, 2026

From: dpa

This decision was made by a jury of the International Biathlon Union (IBSF). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also announced that the athlete's accreditation for the Winter Games had been revoked. The 27-year-old refused to forgo wearing the helmet banned by the IOC and was therefore not allowed to start the first run on the track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The IOC had previously ruled that the helmet violated the neutrality principle of the Olympic Charter.

Political messages are prohibited at competition venues according to IOC rules. The governing body had offered Heraskevych the option of wearing a black armband instead of his helmet as a compromise. The Ukrainian rejected this offer. Shortly before the decision, Heraskevych had demanded a change of heart and an apology from the IOC via Instagram. The IOC further stated that he also refused to accept a compromise at a meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry. "He will not compete; that's the rule," IBSF President Ivo Ferriani told the press. dpa.

The IOC refers to rules agreed upon with athletes.

Heraskevych wore the helmet during several training runs. It features images of approximately 20 athletes who were killed in Russian attacks. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for nearly four years. The helmet is "a tribute to athletes, some of whom were medalists at the Youth Olympic Games. This means they belong to the Olympic family," Heraskevych explained.

Vladyslav Heraskevych wanted to commemorate deceased athletes. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

The IOC rejected an official request for permission to wear headgear, citing rules regarding political messages. These rules, they stated, had been agreed upon with the athletes. All athletes must be able to concentrate on their performance in a safe environment, unaffected by the numerous conflicts around the world. The IOC added that Heraskevych was permitted to freely express his opinion in interviews surrounding the competition.

The Ukrainian was not among the top favorites for the skeleton races. He had said that a medal was "worthless compared to human lives and the memory of these athletes." He received support from other members of the Ukrainian Olympic delegation and also from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.