Ukrainian skeleton racer expelled from winter Olympics over memorial helmet
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- Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych expelled from Winter Olympics for wearing a “helmet of memory” honoring Ukraine’s war dead.
- International Olympic Committee cites breach of rules on political expression; appeals to court of arbitration likely too late.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from the Winter Olympics just 21 minutes before his event after refusing to remove a helmet honoring victims of the war in Ukraine.
The International Olympic Committee announced the decision, citing Heraskevych’s “refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression.” Stripped of his accreditation, he must leave the Games immediately and is barred from the athletes’ village.
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Heraskevych, a medal contender, described the moment as “emptiness” and confirmed he would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, though with the competition already underway, success appears unlikely.
Shock Among Fellow Athletes
The decision drew immediate criticism from Britain’s skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold. “It’s actually quite shocking,” she said. “Lots of the sliding community have been in contact straight away. There is shock and confusion. The reaction to something which was an act of memorial, and incredibly emotionally important to him, I’m quite shocked. I think the IOC owes him an apology. He was also a medal contender for the race. He’s a phenomenal athlete.”
Political Expression Rules
Under Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, political statements are banned during competition. The Ukrainian delegation argued that the helmet, which displayed 24 images of athletes and children killed since Russia’s invasion, was a form of remembrance, not politics.
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The IOC offered compromises, including wearing a black armband, but Heraskevych reportedly refused. The matter escalated despite numerous meetings and discussions, ultimately leading to his expulsion.
The incident has sparked debate over the limits of athlete expression, memorial gestures, and the enforcement of Olympic rules amid ongoing international conflicts.
