🇺🇦 Drama at the Winter Olympics! Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed his disqualification, citing non-compliance with athlete expression guidelines. Heraskevych chose to honour athletes killed in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by wearing a special helmet, which the IOC deemed non-compliant with Rule 50.2 that prohibits political or religious propaganda at Olympic venues.
Despite the ban, Heraskevych remains defiant, stressing that his helmet was a tribute, not a political statement. “Because of their sacrifice, we are able to compete here as a team. I will not betray them,” he stated earlier this week. A prominent figure in his discipline, he was Ukraine’s flag bearer and had strong medal prospects.
The IOC had numerous discussions to reach a compromise, offering Heraskevych alternative ways to honour the fallen athletes, including a black armband during the race. However, he remains committed to challenging his disqualification at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, expressing his resolve on social media: “This is the price of our dignity.”
This isn’t Heraskevych’s first stand at the Olympics; during the 2022 Beijing Games, he held up a “No war in Ukraine” sign. That time, it was considered a general call for peace and didn’t breach IOC regulations.
Ukraine’s Olympic Committee stands in solidarity with Heraskevych, emphasising that when an athlete stands for truth and honour, it signifies a moral victory. The story is a powerful reminder of the intersection between sports and global affairs, resonating beyond the tracks and fields. 🏅🌍