IOC lets Heraskevych stay at 2026 Olympics
Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified (Photo: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)
The International Olympic Committee reversed its decision to revoke the accreditation of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych for the 2026 Winter Olympics, allowing him to remain at the Games in Milan-Cortina but without the right to compete, the IOC announced on Feb. 12.
The organization published a statement saying the Ukrainian athlete may remain at the Winter Olympics but will not be allowed to participate in competitions.
“On an exceptional basis, after the very respectful conversation with the athlete, [IOC President Kirsty] Coventry asked the IOC Disciplinary Commission (DC) Chair to re-consider the withdrawal of Vladyslav Heraskevych’s accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games,” the statement reads.
“The Chair of the IOC DC agreed to the request, which means Mr Heraskevych can continue to be at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games despite not being able to compete.”
Heraskevych was disqualified from the Olympics for failing to comply with the ban on using a “remembrance helmet” honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the war.
Notably, before the start of competition, Coventry personally visited Heraskevych to discuss the situation. The IOC then decided to disqualify the Ukrainian athlete because he wanted to compete wearing the remembrance helmet.
Earlier reports said the IOC president explained Heraskevych’s disqualification with tears in her eyes.
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