CAS rejects Heraskevych disqualification appeal
Vladyslav Heraskevych (Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected an appeal by Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych challenging his disqualification from the 2026 Winter Olympics, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported on Feb. 13.
“We confirm that freedom of expression is permitted at the Olympics, but not at the competition venue,” CAS Secretary General Matthew Reed said.
“The judge listened to the arguments of both sides and made a decision in accordance with the IOC guidelines.”
The International Olympic Committee disqualified Heraskevych over his “remembrance helmet” that bore images of Ukrainian athletes killed in the Russo–Ukrainian war. The IOC said the helmet violated the Olympic Charter’s requirement for political neutrality and forbids political or other messages during competition.
Heraskevych said the decision reflected double standards, noting an Italian snowboarder had been allowed to display a Russian flag on his helmet at the Games. He said his helmet contained no political message and only commemorated fallen athletes.
The IOC had proposed alternatives: wearing a black armband during competition and showing the “remembrance helmet” before and after his run and while speaking to the media in the mixed zone. Heraskevych declined those options and appealed to CAS. The hearing was held Feb. 13 in Milan.
Heraskevych was one of Ukraine’s flag bearers at the opening
ceremony.
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