Ukrainian Athlete Banned Over Memorial Helmet

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has sparked intense controversy over athlete expression rights. The flagbearer wished to compete wearing a helmet featuring artwork commemorating Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion.

The IOC invoked rule 40.2 of the Olympic Charter and athlete expression guidelines, which mandate that competition focus remain on athletic performance rather than political statements. IOC president Kirsty Coventry made a last-minute appeal for compromise, proposing the helmet be displayed before and after competition but not during the race itself. Heraskevych refused, resulting in his disqualification.

The decision drew widespread condemnation from Olympic athletes. Two-time gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold called it "quite shocking," while former bobsledder John Jackson emphasized the importance of remembrance for veterans. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accused the IOC of "playing into the hands of the Russian aggressor." IOC spokesperson Mark Adams defended the decision, arguing that allowing such expressions would create chaos and open the Games to exploitation of the 130 ongoing global conflicts.