"Olympic Ban": Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete Barred from Wearing Helmet Honoring Fallen Fellow Athletes

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych sparked a major controversy at the Winter Olympics after the IOC prohibited him from wearing a helmet decorated with images of fellow athletes killed in the war. Heraskevych, 27, wore the commemorative helmet during official training sessions in Italy, stating it was a tribute to his colleagues rather than a political statement.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) cited its long-standing statutes prohibiting political, religious, or racial propaganda on Olympic sites. While the athlete expressed deep disappointment on Instagram, the IOC informed news agencies that it is awaiting an official request from the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee to review the design. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain "Olympic neutrality" in an era of global geopolitical turmoil.