"MILAN - The International Olympic Committee has disqualified Ukrainian sled racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Milan Cortina Games. Heraskevych insisted on wearing a helmet painted with the faces of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia since the full scale invasion in 2022. Heraskevych, who races in the skeleton discipline, said on social media he believes the IOC was unfair in its ruling Monday that the 'memorial' helmet violates a ban on political speech during the Games."
"But on Thursday the IOC issued a brief statement saying Heraskevych would not be allowed to compete in skeleton races today in Cortina. 'The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC's guidelines on athlete expression," the statement said. Heraskevych drew support in his bid from Ukrainians including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Posting on Instagram after he was excluded from competition, Heraskevych said, "This is the price of our dignity.""
Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milan Cortina Games after insisting on wearing a helmet painted with faces of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion. The IOC ruled the 'memorial' helmet violated a ban on political speech and said he would not be allowed to compete after refusing to comply with athlete-expression guidelines. Heraskevych said on social media the ruling was unfair and posted, "This is the price of our dignity." He drew support from Ukrainians including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia faces strict Olympic restrictions and only 13 Russian nationals are competing as independent athletes. Heraskevych is a serious medal contender who finished fourth at last year's world championships.
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