Overview
- The IOC on Feb. 10 ruled that Vladyslav Heraskevych cannot use his “helmet of remembrance” in skeleton competition, citing Olympic Charter Rule 50.
- Officials offered a plain black armband as a concession, but Heraskevych has indicated he does not plan to wear it.
- Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee formally requested approval for the helmet after an initial warning, and the IOC denied the request before Thursday’s event.
- Heraskevych has continued using the helmet in training and says he will try to wear it on race day, arguing the tribute does not violate the rules.
- The helmet features images of Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since 2022, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly praised the racer’s tribute.