Ukrainian Athlete Banned for Honoring Fallen Compatriots on Helmet

Sun Feb 15 2026 00:15:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton slider, faces disqualification from the Winter Olympics due to wearing a helmet that commemorates athletes killed in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing in the Winter Olympics after he refused to stop wearing a helmet that depicts fellow athletes who lost their lives since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The helmet, which honors over 20 athletes, has sparked controversy and raised debates on the importance of remembering those lost in conflict. His appeal was denied, and he expressed strong sentiments about the personal connections he had with some of those commemorated.

The War Dead Pictured on Banned Ukrainian Athlete's Helmet

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion is currently the Games' most significant controversy.

Heraskevych was barred from the men's skeleton in Milan-Cortina earlier this week after he refused to stop wearing it, and on Friday, his appeal was denied.

He has stated that those featured on his helmet include teenage weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Lohinov, revealing a personal connection to several of them as friends.

In total, over 20 athletes are honored on the helmet, reflecting the profound impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the nation's sports community.