MILAN — A Ukrainian skeleton pilot has been banned from the Winter Olympics for insisting on wearing a helmet bearing images of athletes killed during Russia’s invasion of his homeland.
The International Olympic Committee “regretfully” announced on Thursday that Vladyslav Heraskevych had been disqualified just minutes before the first round of the men’s steel bicycle race.
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“This is the price of our dignity,” Hraskevich posted to X on Thursday, shortly after a last-minute meeting with International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry failed to produce a breakthrough.
Hraskovic told reporters on Thursday that he would not consider competing in another helmet because he believed he “didn’t break any rules.” Hraskevich pointed to the “big inconsistency” that athletes from other countries are able to express their political views at press conferences but he cannot do so while competing.
“American figure skaters, Canadian freeskiers, Israeli skeleton athletes are here today, and they’re not facing the same thing,” Hraskevich said. “Suddenly, only one Ukrainian athlete at this Olympics will be disqualified from wearing this helmet.”
Vladislav Hraskevich’s helmet is engraved with the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tiziana FABI/Getty Images for AFP)
(Tiziana Fabi via Getty Images)
Shortly after Hraskovic wore the helmet for the first time in training on Monday, the IOC met with his coach and Ukrainian officials to explain that the helmet did not comply with its rules. The Olympic Charter states: “No demonstrations or political, religious or racial propaganda of any kind shall be permitted at any Olympic venue, venue or other area.”
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When Hraskovic made it clear he planned to wear a helmet anyway, the IOC gave him the option of wearing a black armband or a black ribbon instead of a helmet. Coventry also traveled to Cortina to sit down with Hraskevich in person in the hope of reaching a compromise.
“The International Olympic Committee very much hopes that Mr. Hraskevich will compete,” it said in a statement. “That is why the IOC sat down with him to find the most respectful way to fulfill his desire to commemorate his fellow athletes who lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Calling it “an exciting morning”, Coventry reiterated in an interview with reporters that the ban had nothing to do with the content of Hraskevich’s message. The problem, she said, was his insistence on showing it “on the field.”
“This message is a powerful message of remembrance, a message of memory, and no one disagrees with that,” Coventry said.
Ukrainian pole athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych sits in his car at the sliding center during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, February 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
(Associated Press)
Hraskevich participated in the pole dancing competition at the previous two Winter Olympics, ranking 12th at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and 18th at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Based on his training results, he has a chance to win a medal in Cortina.
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On Thursday, shortly after he was disqualified, Hraskovic urged broadcasters covering the Olympics to air his final training session “in honor of the athletes who wore this helmet.”
“I believe they deserve this moment,” he said. “Of course I won’t get a chance at this Olympics, although I will say in training we have achieved good results. I really believe we can be one of the medalists today and tomorrow, but we won’t be able to compete.”
