Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from competing in Thursday’s Olympic heats after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) upheld its ban on his helmet, which displays images of Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed during the war with Russia.
Heraskevych, 27, had vowed to compete wearing the customized helmet despite warnings from the IOC that it violated rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political, religious, or racial propaganda at Olympic venues. The IOC offered a compromise, suggesting Heraskevych wear a black armband as an alternative tribute, but he rejected the offer, stating he would not “betray” the memory of those depicted on his helmet.
“I will not betray these athletes,” Heraskevych said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. “These athletes sacrificed their lives, and because of this sacrifice, I am able to be here, so I will not betray them. An Olympic medal would be huge… But in this time, some things are really more important than medals.”
The helmet features the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have died since the start of the war. Heraskevych commissioned the artwork from a Ukrainian artist earlier this year, according to Sporting News.
The IOC’s decision to disqualify Heraskevych follows a similar incident during Wednesday’s men’s super-G race, where Ukrainian skier Dmytro Shepiuk displayed a sticker reading “UKR heroes with us” at the finish area.
Olena Smaha, a Ukrainian luge racer, also demonstrated support by writing a message on her hands reading, “Remembrance is not a violation.”
The IOC has maintained its position that the helmet violates its rules against political statements. The committee reiterated its stance to Heraskevych and the Ukrainian delegation, but has not commented publicly on the disqualification beyond confirming the enforcement of its existing regulations.
Heraskevych trained in the banned helmet on both Tuesday and Wednesday, anticipating the IOC’s decision. The outcome of any potential appeal by the Ukrainian delegation remains unclear.
