Ukrainian Olympian Risks It All Over Helmet Tribute

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is risking Olympic disqualification by refusing to remove his helmet displaying images of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia, defying an IOC ban on political statements during competition.

The International Olympic Committee has pleaded with the 27-year-old to wear a black armband instead, arguing that the competition field must remain “sacrosanct” and free from demonstrations, but Heraskevych insists it is “this helmet or nothing.”

As he trained Wednesday with the banned gear at the Cortina sliding centre, IOC officials said they would try to convince him through fellow athletes, warning that equipment checks before Thursday’s race will lead to his removal if he refuses to comply.

The standoff pits Olympic rules against an athlete’s profound personal grief, forcing him to choose between honoring fallen countrymen and competing on the world’s biggest stage.