Ukrainian skeleton athlete banned from wearing helmet honoring those killed in war

Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych starts a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych is allowed to wear a black armband at the Milan Cortina Olympics but the IOC says he cannot wear a helmet painted to honor Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.

The IOC calls it a compromise.

Heraskevych says he doesn’t plan to wear an armband.

He is allowed to wear the tribute helmet during training but not when competitions starts on Thursday.  The IOC cites Rule 50 which bans political statements as the reason for the helmet’s prohibition.

Heraskevych is a medal hopeful and questions the presence of Russian flags at the games.