Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych will not compete at the Winter Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his appeal over a helmet dispute.
The 26 year old athlete wanted to wear a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia’s invasion of his country. The International Olympic Committee stopped him from racing just before the first heat of the men’s skeleton event. Officials said the design broke Olympic Charter rules that ban political statements during competition.
Heraskevych had already worn the helmet in training sessions earlier in the week. IOC President Kirsty Coventry visited him at the sliding track in Cortina to persuade him not to use it in competition. He refused and insisted the helmet did not violate the rules.
The IOC made it clear that athletes can express views in mixed zones, press conferences, and on social media. However, the committee stressed that the field of play must remain neutral. Spokesperson Mark Adams said allowing such displays during events could open the Games to political exploitation.
At first, the IOC withdrew Heraskevych’s accreditation. Later, officials returned it. CAS agreed that removing it under those circumstances was unfair. Still, the court dismissed his appeal regarding the helmet. That decision ended his Olympic campaign.
Heraskevych criticized the Milan Cortina Games and accused officials of turning the event into Russian propaganda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned the IOC’s stance. He said the organization was playing into the hands of Russia.
