Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych speaks at a news conference in front of the Olympic rings. (AFP via Yonhap)
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych said he plans to compete at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics wearing a “memorial helmet” honoring war victims, defying an International Olympic Committee decision barring it.
Heraskevych spoke at a news conference near the Cortina Sliding Center on Tuesday, saying, “The sacrifice of the athletes who died is why we can be here competing as one team,” adding, “I can’t betray them.”
He has trained in a helmet bearing images of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia and reiterated he intends to wear the same helmet on race day.
“Right now I should be thinking about how to perform better and stay focused on the track, but instead I’m fighting for the right to wear this memorial helmet,” he said.
Heraskevych drew attention during a training run on Sunday with the helmet. The IOC later told him it could not be used, saying it violates Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political, religious or racial propaganda or demonstrations at Olympic venues and related sites.
The IOC offered a compromise, saying it could allow a black mourning armband, but Heraskevych said he would not accept that alternative.
Support for the athlete continued. Latvia coach Ivo Steinbergs attended the news conference and said backing has come from multiple countries. “If he is disqualified, we will take action, too,” he said.
Ukrainian luger Olena Smahina wrote “Remembrance is not a Violation” on her gloves to show solidarity.
Heraskevych spoke at a news conference near the Cortina Sliding Center on Tuesday, saying, “The sacrifice of the athletes who died is why we can be here competing as one team,” adding, “I can’t betray them.”
He has trained in a helmet bearing images of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia and reiterated he intends to wear the same helmet on race day.
“Right now I should be thinking about how to perform better and stay focused on the track, but instead I’m fighting for the right to wear this memorial helmet,” he said.
Heraskevych drew attention during a training run on Sunday with the helmet. The IOC later told him it could not be used, saying it violates Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political, religious or racial propaganda or demonstrations at Olympic venues and related sites.
The IOC offered a compromise, saying it could allow a black mourning armband, but Heraskevych said he would not accept that alternative.
Support for the athlete continued. Latvia coach Ivo Steinbergs attended the news conference and said backing has come from multiple countries. “If he is disqualified, we will take action, too,” he said.
Ukrainian luger Olena Smahina wrote “Remembrance is not a Violation” on her gloves to show solidarity.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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