Ukrainian Athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych Barred From Competing For Helmet Honoring Fallen Athletes In War Against Russia

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will not be allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet that honors fallen Ukrainian athletes. 

Heraskevych received a last-minute request from the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation to not wear the helmet. Despite the International Olympic Committee showing willingness to make concessions, Heraskevych refused to compete without the helmet. Heraskevych received notice of his ineligibility just 45 minutes before the competition started. 

On Feb. 22, 2022, Russia launched an invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Russia hoped for a quick invasion, but Ukraine was able to hold Russian forces until NATO supplies arrived. This sparked a nearly four-year stalemate in which neither side has gained any form of advantage. In 2022, Ukraine implemented a mandatory military draft for men aged 25 to 60. Many Olympic athletes were forced onto the battlefield. Heraskevych’s helmet honored around 20 athletes who had died in battle.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended Heraskevych on an X post. 

“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” Zelensky said.

In skeleton, competitors race head-first and face-down in a small sled down an icy track. Athletes get a running start on their sled. They maneuver using subtle body movements.   

The first two matches (called heats in skeleton) happened on Feb. 12. Matt Weston of Team Great Britain won both heats. The men’s final two heats will happen on Feb. 13. After the final two heats, medals will be awarded based on the combined time of the four heats. 

Debuting in the 2026 Winter Olympics is a mixed skeleton event. This event will allow the top men and women skeleton athletes to compete against each other. Women still have their separate four-heat event for skeleton as well.