Overview
- Sport’s top court denied Vladyslav Heraskevych’s appeal on Friday, leaving him out of Milan-Cortina 2026 after he refused to abandon a helmet honoring Ukrainians killed since Russia’s invasion.
- The IOC and the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation disqualified him before Thursday’s race under Rule 50 and the IOC’s athlete expression guidelines.
- CAS said limits on demonstrations during competition are reasonable and proportionate, pointing to alternatives such as mixed zones, press conferences, social media, and his use of the helmet in training runs.
- The IOC offered compromises including a black armband and displaying the helmet before or after runs, which he rejected; his accreditation was restored, and he departed the Olympic Village.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the ruling as against the spirit of the Games, while IOC President Kirsty Coventry defended the rules and said the outcome was emotionally difficult.