The International Olympic Committee has withdrew the accreditation of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladylsav Heraskevych for the 2026 Winter Games, meaning he will not be able to compete at the event that Thursday.
The IOC said that the helmet Heraskevych wanted to wear violated its rules on athlete expression. The helmet bore portraits of Ukrainian athletes who were killed in Russia’s war. While the committee had earlier sought a compromise-allowing him to wear the helmet during training runs and to display it immediately after competition in the “Mixed Zone”-it explained that expressions of grief differ around the world.
Heraskevych responded only briefly on social media: “This is the price of our dignity”. He had previously sent a video message stating that he never intended a scandal with the IOC and that he had not caused the situation. He argues that the IOC’s interpretation of the rules is discriminatory and calls on the organization to supply power generators to Ukrainian sports facilities that are under daily shelling as a gesture of solidarity.
