Winter Olympics 2026: IOC bans Ukrainian skeleton athlete from wearing helmet honoring athletes killed in war

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been told by the International Olympic Committee that he cannot wear a helmet that commemorates Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.

The IOC pointed to article 50.2 of the Olympic charter which states, “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." Heraskevych's helmet features images of over 20 athletes and coaches, including figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, hockey player Oleksiy Loginov and weightlifter Alina Peregudova, who have died since the 2022 Russian invasion.

In an Instagram post, Heraskevych, who was Ukraine's flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony, said that the IOC's decision "simply breaks my heart."

"The IOC has banned the use of my helmet at official training sessions and competitions. A decision that simply breaks my heart. The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honored on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again.

"Despite precedents in modern times and in the past when the IOC allowed such tributes, this time they decided to set special rules just for Ukraine."

During the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Heraskevych held up a sign that read, "No war in Ukraine" days before the invasion began. The IOC did not respond.

FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images

"Back then, in that action, they saw a call for peace and did not apply any sanctions against me," Heraskevych wrote on social media Tuesday. "Now, at the Olympics, we have already seen a large number of Russian flags in the stands, on the helmet of one of the athletes - and for the IOC, this is not a violation."

According to the Associated Press, the IOC said it "decided to make an exception" this time and allow Heraskevych to wear a black armband, which the three-time Olympian has rejected. Armbands have been previously banned at the Olympics.

“We don’t want everyone wearing a black armband for every competition,” said IOC spokesman Mark Adams. “But where there’s a good reasoning it will be considered properly.”

“The Games need to be separated from not just political and religious topics, but all types of interference so that all athletes can concentrate on performance.”

Ukraine’s Olympic committee told the IOC that it believes the helmet meets the IOC's rules since it “does not carry any political slogans, and does not express any racial discrimination.”

“What we’ve tried to do is to address his desires with compassion and understanding,” Adams said. “He has expressed himself on social media and in the training and, as you know, we will not stop him expressing himself in press conferences, as he leaves competition in the mixed zone and elsewhere. We feel that this is a good compromise in the situation.”

Heraskevych will continue to wear the helmet during training sessions.

“We will continue to fight for the right to compete in this helmet,” Heraskevych told reporters on Tuesday. “I truly believe that we didn’t violate any law and any rules."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed support with a social media post thanking Heraskevych for “reminding the world the price of our struggle.”