Tribute Brings Trouble: Ukrainian Olympian's Helmet Honouring Fallen Athletes Gets Banned By IOC

Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 15:50 IST

Heraskevych's helmet was banned by the IOC for honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says he has been told by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that he is not allowed to wear a helmet bearing images of Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

In a talk with Reuters, the 27-year-old stated that the decision was delivered in person by Toshio Tsurunaga, the IOC representative responsible for communication between athletes, national Olympic committees and the IOC, who visited him at the Athletes’ Village.

“He said it’s because of Rule 50," Heraskevych said.

Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

Heraskevych had worn the custom helmet during a training session in Cortina and intended to compete with it, using the Games as a platform to keep international attention on the war in Ukraine. The helmet features portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

In a social media post on Monday, Heraskevych said the IOC had banned the helmet from both training and competition. The IOC has not yet publicly confirmed the decision.

Despite the setback, Heraskevych said he plans to submit an official request to the IOC and will continue seeking permission to wear the helmet.

Russia’s invasion, launched shortly after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is approaching its fourth year and remains Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

In social media videos, Heraskevych has said the images on his helmet represent only a fraction of the athletes lost, including Olympians and Youth Olympic medallists such as his former teammate, figure skater Dmytro Sharpar.

Heraskevych, competing at his third Winter Games, has also been one of Ukraine’s most visible athlete-advocates. Last week, he led a delegation of 46 Ukrainian athletes as flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Milan, alongside speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko.

(with multiple agencies’ inputs)

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