Controversy Erupts Over Banned Helmet Worn by Ukrainian Skeleton Racer

Sun Feb 15 2026 00:56:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian athlete, faces disqualification from the Winter Olympics due to his helmet featuring images of athletes who lost their lives during ongoing conflicts.

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from competing in the Winter Olympics after refusing to remove his helmet, which honors fellow athletes who were killed since Russia's invasion began. The helmet's imagery has sparked widespread controversy, igniting discussions about the intersection of sports and political expression.

The war dead pictured on banned Ukrainian athlete's helmet

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion is the Games' biggest controversy so far.

Heraskevych was barred from the men's skeleton in Milan-Cortina earlier this week after he refused to stop wearing it and on Friday his appeal was denied.

He has said those featured on his helmet include teenage weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko and ice hockey player Oleksiy Lohinov, adding that some of them were his friends.

More than 20 athletes appear on the helmet in total.

Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing in the Winter Olympics after saying he would only compete if he was allowed to wear his helmet of remembrance.

The controversy has raised questions about athletes' rights to express political or social messages during international competitions. Many advocates argue that Heraskevych's intention to honor those who perished in the conflict should be recognized and respected, while others believe that sports should remain neutral and free of political statements.