Winter Olympics star kicked out as father breaks down in tears after controversial determination
Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from participating at the 2026 Winter Olympics – for refusing not to wear a race helmet honouring those killed in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia
Vladyslav Heraskevych has spoken out about the decision(Image: ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
Vladyslav Heraskevych has revealed that he felt “emptiness” after being barred from the 2026 Winter Olympics for refusing to abandon his tribute helmet honouring mates and fellow competitors killed in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
The athlete wore the helmet during a skeleton training run in Cortina, but was allegedly informed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) he couldn’t use it in subsequent sessions, or competitions. The IOC proposed allowing him to sport a black armband instead as a gesture of respect, but Heraskevych remained resolute in his stance.
Following his refusal to bow to the IOC’s requirements regarding his “helmet of remembrance,” the Ukrainian has had his credentials revoked – forcing him to vacate the athletes’ village. As his father was pictured breaking down in tears over the controversial decision, the 27-year-old has now spoken out.
He said: “I feel emptiness. Yesterday was amazing training, before yesterday was also very good training. I could be among the medallists in this event but, suddenly, because of some interpretation of the rules we do not agree with, I am not able to compete while other athletes in the same situation were able to compete and they didn’t face any sanctions.
“Expression guidelines, I believe it is a very big wording count. What do you consider as expression? Many athletes here in this arena have helmets with different paints, and I believe that’s also kind of expression. Some athletes have national symbols and that’s also expression. But, for some reason, their helmets weren’t checked and they’re allowed to compete but we’re not.
“Yeah I believe I deserve to be here because of their sacrifice [fallen Ukrainian soldiers] we’re able to be here today and I want to honour them and I wanted to honour their families.”
The IOC explained their decision in a statement, which read: “Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning.
“The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete.
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“This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it.
“Mourning is not expressed and perceived in the same way everywhere in the world. In order to support athletes in their mourning, the IOC has put in place multi-faith centres in the Olympic Villages and a place of mourning, so that grief can be expressed with dignity and respect.
“There is also the possibility to wear a black armband during competition under certain circumstances. Mr Heraskevych has been supported by the IOC for the last three editions of the Olympic Winter Games.
“Each time he was an Olympic scholarship holder. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC also set up a solidarity fund for Ukrainian sport to support the athletes’ preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
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