The symbol of the helmet was not a collection of abstract designs; it was actually a visual representation of real people. The faces of over 20 members of the Ukrainian Olympic Team killed during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine were designed as part of the helmet.

MILAN (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych pushed at the limits of the International Olympic Committee's rules on freedom of expression, and the global sports body pushed back. That created an emotional and historic moment of Winter Games lore.

After being disqualified from the Olympics, skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych plans to raise funds for the families of the fallen Ukrainians painted on his helmet.

The IOC announced its decision to remove his accreditation before Heraskevych's first heats Thursday in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) denied Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych's appeal of his disqualification from the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The CAS agreed with the International Olympic Committee's assertion that Heraskevych's plan to wear a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine would violate Olympic rules against making political statement on the field of play.

Disqualified Ukrainian racer reveals fresh tribute to fallen athletes as he returns home from Olympics - Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics after a row over his war tribut

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on 16 February enacting a decision of the National Security and Defence Council regarding sanctions against 10 Russian athletes whom Kyiv