Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has declared his intention to defy an International Olympic Committee ban and wear a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed during the war, setting the stage for a high-profile dispute at the Winter Olympics. The IOC has prohibited the helmet, citing its rules against political demonstrations, but Heraskevych remains steadfast in his commitment to honor fallen compatriots.
Heraskevych, a 27-year-old Olympian who carried Ukraine’s flag at the opening ceremony, wore the commemorative helmet during a skeleton training session in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Monday. The helmet displays the faces of seven Ukrainian athletes who have died since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, including weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ischenko, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko, diver and coach Mykyta Kozubenko, shooter Oleksiy Habarov, and dancer Daria Kurdel. Heraskevych explained that the tribute is meant to ensure these individuals are remembered on the Olympic stage they can no longer grace.
Following the training session, IOC representative Toshio Tsurunaga informed Heraskevych that the helmet contravenes Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political, religious, or racial propaganda in Olympic venues. In response, Heraskevych told CNN, “If the IOC betrays these athletes, I will not betray them,” and vowed to wear the helmet during competition. He emphasized that honoring those who sacrificed their lives is more important than sports, stating, “Some things are more important than sports.”
The IOC has offered a compromise, proposing that Heraskevych wear a black armband instead of the helmet to make the commemoration. Spokesman Mark Adams acknowledged the athlete’s desire to pay tribute but insisted that the Games must remain free from political interference. However, Heraskevych has rejected this offer, calling it hypocritical, especially after U.S. figure skater Maxim Naumov was allowed to display a photo of his deceased parents.
Ukraine’s Olympic Committee has formally requested that the IOC permit Heraskevych to wear the “helmet of remembrance,” arguing that it complies with safety standards and does not contain advertising or discriminatory elements. The committee emphasized that the helmet honors athletes killed while defending Ukraine or as victims of the war. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Heraskevych on social media, thanking him for reminding the world of the struggle’s cost and criticizing the IOC’s stance as inappropriate.
This incident is not Heraskevych’s first act of protest at the Olympics; four years ago in Beijing, he held up a “No War in Ukraine” banner ahead of Russia’s invasion. His current defiance comes amid ongoing controversy over the IOC’s decision to allow 13 Russian and 7 Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals in the Games, despite the war. Heraskevych has hinted that further protests could occur, using the platform to keep Ukraine in the global spotlight.
The situation highlights the tension between Olympic principles of neutrality and athletes’ rights to express personal or national grievances. Heraskevych’s stand has garnered international attention, with many viewing it as a poignant reminder of the human toll of the conflict. As the competition approaches, it remains unclear whether the IOC will enforce disciplinary action or seek a resolution that respects both its rules and the athlete’s convictions.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Heraskevych as he prepares to compete, with the potential for his act of remembrance to spark broader discussions about the role of sports in times of war. Regardless of the outcome, his determination has already underscored the profound impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the Olympic community and beyond.
