Ukrainian Olympian banned from wearing helmet for race

A Ukrainian skeleton racer has expressed his heartbreak at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banning his race helmet.

Vladyslav Heraskevych, 26, has been informed by the IOC that his helmet depicting images of people killed in the war in his home country, violates the competition's rules on political statements.

The Olympian wore the helmet during a training session for the Winter Olympics in Cortina and had plans to use the worldwide sporting event as a platform to keep attention on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The helmet in question showed pictures of athletes and his friends who were tragically killed following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Heraskevych wrote on Instagram on Monday (9 February): "The IOC has banned the use of my helmet at official training sessions and competitions. A decision that simply breaks my heart."

The Ukrainian skeleton racer wants to pay tribute using his helmet (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

He continued: "The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honoured on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again.

"Despite precedents in modern times and in the past when the IOC allowed such tributes, this time they decided to set special rules just for Ukraine."

The athlete told Reuters that Toshio Tsurunaga, who is the IOC representative in charge of communications between athletes, national Olympic committees and the IOC, had gone to the Athletes' Village in person to tell him the news.

Heraskevych said: "He said it’s because of rule 50."

For context, Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states that 'no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas'.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously praised the sportsman for donning the helmet at the Winter Olympics, specifically for 'reminding the world of the price of our struggle'.

In a post on X, he wrote: "His helmet bears portraits of our athletes who were killed by Russia. Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who was killed in combat near Bakhmut; Yevhen Malyshev, a 19-year-old biathlete killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv; and other Ukrainian athletes whose lives were taken by Russia’s war.

"I thank the flag bearer of our national team at the Winter Olympics, Vladyslav Heraskevych, for reminding the world of the price of our struggle."

The IOC gave an update in a press briefing this morning (FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

Zelensky added: "This truth cannot be inconvenient, inappropriate, or called a “political demonstration at a sporting event.” It is a reminder to the entire world of what modern Russia is.

And this is what reminds everyone of the global role of sport and the historic mission of the Olympic movement itself - it is all about peace and for the sake of life. Ukraine remains faithful to this. Russia proves the opposite."

The skeleton athlete also previously held up a 'No War in Ukraine' sign at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, days before Russia’s 2022 invasion of the country.

Heraskevych added: "Unfortunately, over these years this call for peace has only become even more relevant. Also over these four years, the IOC has changed dramatically. Back then, in that action, they saw a call for peace and did not apply any sanctions against me.

"Now, at the Olympics, we have already seen a large number of Russian flags in the stands, on the helmet of one of the athletes – and for the IOC, this is not a violation. Yet a violation was found in the ‘helmet of memory’, which pays tribute to members of the Ukrainian sports family who have been killed since the last Olympic Games were held. The truth is on our side. I hope for a fair final decision from the IOC."

In an IOC press briefing this morning (10 February), spokesperson Mark Adams confirmed that they 'received the formal request this morning' and 'the IOC fully understands the decision of athletes to remember friends, colleagues who have lost their lives in the conflict'.

You can see their full response here:

He explained that 'there was an informal meeting last night with Mr Heraskevych's coach' and the IOC 'reiterated their understanding of the athlete's wish to pay tribute to his fellow athletes'.

However, citing the Olympic charter and Athlete's Expression Guidelines they 'have to concentrate on the athlete's performance and sport' and the helmet 'contravenes' the guidelines. Instead, they will allow Heraskevych to wear a black armband.

Tyla has contacted the International Olympic Committee for comment.