IOC helmet ban Ukraine

Heraskevych’s father accuses Russia of IOC, CAS influence

IOC President Kirsty Coventry’s visibly trembling hands during her meeting before the disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych over a “helmet of memory” honoring fallen Ukrainian athletes indicated intense external pressure on the IOC — likely from Russia, the athlete’s father, Mykhailo Heraskevych, said at Media Center Ukraine on Feb. 19.

19 February, 04:53 PM

Zelenskyy awards Heraskevych Order of Freedom after IOC ban

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, whom the International Olympic Committee barred from the 2026 Winter Olympics over his “helmet of memory,” and awarded him the Order of Freedom, Zelenskyy announced on X overnight into Feb. 14.

14 February, 10:54 AM

Heraskevych calls national unity more valuable than medals

Ukrainian skeleton athlete and 2026 Olympics flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych expressed deep appreciation for the nationwide support following his disqualification over a “memory helmet,” calling national unity far more valuable than any medal, he told Suspilne Sport after leaving the Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in Milan on Feb. 13.

13 February, 06:35 PM

CAS hearing begins for disqualified Ukrainian skeleton star Heraskevych

The Court of Arbitration for Sport began a closed hearing in Milan on Feb. 13 into Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych’s appeal against his disqualification from the 2026 Winter Olympics over his “memory helmet,” with CAS director general Matthieu Reeb saying the case could last several hours and a final decision is hoped for today, Suspilne Sport reported from the scene.

13 February, 01:50 PM

Heraskevych fights off wave of hate from Russians

Russians have unleashed a torrent of hate messages against Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych after his disqualification from the 2026 Winter Olympics over his "remembrance helmet", Suspilne Sport wrote on Feb. 13.

13 February, 01:33 PM

No compromise possible in Heraskevych’s memory helmet gesture

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych chose to honor his fallen compatriots over pursuing Olympic medals by wearing a “memory helmet” featuring portraits of deceased Ukrainian athletes, a principled stand that outweighs any compromise, The Athletic columnist Steve Buckley wrote in a piece published shortly before the IOC disqualified him on Feb. 12.

13 February, 01:07 PM

What Ukrainian athletes and leaders say about the IOC and Heraskevych

NV has compiled some of the most striking reactions from Ukrainian Olympians, sports officials and business leaders to the disqualification of skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych over his “Helmet of Memory.”

13 February, 10:36 AM

IOC lets Heraskevych stay at 2026 Olympics

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.

12 February, 10:41 PM

Sybiha slams IOC censorship as Russian bombs fall on Kyiv and Dnipro

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has sharply condemned Russia's massive overnight combined attack on Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, which resulted in civilian casualties, including two children, in his post on X on Feb. 12.

12 February, 01:16 PM

Heraskevych disqualified for defying IOC ban on war victim tribute

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games for allegedly having made a "political statement" by wearing his "tribute helmet", Suspilne Sport reported on Feb. 12.

12 February, 12:29 PM

IOC helmet ban Ukraine