- Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning. The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 13.02.2026) :: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has therefore decided with regret to withdraw his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
Despite multiple exchanges and in-person meetings between the IOC and Mr Heraskevych, the last one this morning with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, he did not consider any form of compromise.
The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete. This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it.
Mr Heraskevych was able to display his helmet in all training runs. The IOC also offered him the option of displaying it immediately after the competition when going through the mixed zone.
Mourning is not expressed and perceived in the same way everywhere in the world. In order to support athletes in their mourning, the IOC has put in place multifaith centres in the Olympic Villages and a place of mourning, so that grief can be expressed with dignity and respect. There is also the possibility to wear a black armband during competition under certain circumstances.
During the Olympic Games athletes are also offered a number of opportunities to mourn and express their views, including in the media mixed zones, on social media, during press conferences and in interviews.
The Guidelines on Athlete Expression were the result of a global consultation in 2021 with 3,500 athletes from all around the world. They have the full support of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and Athletes’ Commissions from International Federations and National Olympic Committees.
Mr Heraskevych has been supported by the IOC for the last three editions of the Olympic Winter Games. Each time he was an Olympic scholarship holder. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC also set up a solidarity fund for Ukrainian sport to support the athletes’ preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Facts
- On 9 February 2026, during the official Men’s Skeleton training heats, the IBSF notified the IOC that Mr Heraskevych wore a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- On 9 February, the IOC met with Mr Heraskevych’s coach and the Deputy Chef de Mission of the NOC of Ukraine to explain that the helmet is not compliant and detailed the different options which are available to athletes to express themselves.
- In a letter on 10 February 2026, the IOC informed Mr Heraskevych that his helmet is not compliant with the Olympic Charter, and other rules, in particular the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. In order to mourn the loss of his fellow athletes, the IOC offered Mr Heraskevych a black armband and/or a black ribbon as an alternative solution to the use of the helmet.
- At a press conference held on the evening of 10 February 2026, Mr Heraskevych indicated that he would still use the helmet in competition. With that he publicly conveyed the message that he would openly defy the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression.
- In a second letter on 11 February, the IOC informed Mr Heraskevych once again that he would not be allowed to start in the men’s skeleton event on 12 February 2026 wearing the helmet.
- In an IBSF technical check of Mr Heraskevych’s equipment on 12 February in the afternoon, he confirmed in writing that he intended to wear the helmet.
- Following the equipment check, another in-person conversation was held with Mr Heraskevych and the NOC of Ukraine Chef de Mission in the Olympic Village in Cortina to reiterate the IOC position and to offer alternatives. During this conversation, Mr Heraskevych reiterated his position.
This morning, upon his arrival in the competition venue, Mr Heraskevych met with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who explained to him, one final time, the IOC position. As in the personal meetings before, he refused to change his position.
The course of action has the full support of the IBSF and the Winter Olympic Federations (WOF).
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