The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revoked Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladylsav Heraskevych’s accreditation for the 2026 Winter Olympics, meaning he will not be able to compete on Thursday. The IOC said the helmet Heraskevych wanted to wear did not conform to its policy on athlete expression. The helmet would have displayed portraits of Ukrainian sportsmen who were killed in Russia’s war of aggression.
The committee explained that it had earlier sought a compromise, allowing Heraskevych to wear the helmet during all training runs and to display it immediately after the competition while passing through the “Mixed Zone”. However, it added that grief is expressed and perceived differently around the world.
Heraskevych responded in a brief social‑media post, calling the decision “the price of our dignity”. He had previously issued a video message in which he insisted he never intended a scandal with the IOC and that he did not cause it. He states that the IOC’s interpretation of its rules-which many view as discriminatory-has created the situation. He has urged the IOC, as an act of solidarity with Ukrainian sports, to provide generators for Ukraine’s sports facilities, which are under daily attack.