Overview
- The Ukrainian slider was withdrawn from the start list minutes before his race after refusing to abandon a helmet honoring more than 20 athletes and coaches killed in the war.
- Officials held multiple meetings in recent days, including a final in-person session with Kirsty Coventry, but the athlete declined proposed compromises.
- The IOC cited Rule 50’s ban on political messaging on the field of play and said options had included using the helmet in training, displaying it before or after the race, or wearing a black armband.
- Heraskevych’s accreditation was initially pulled then reinstated later on Thursday, allowing him to remain at the Games though he cannot compete.
- His team says it will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as Ukraine’s leadership publicly condemned the ruling and a Latvian coach lodged a protest with the IBSF.