Overview
- The IOC ruled that Vladyslav Heraskevych may not compete in his helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war, saying it contravenes Rule 50’s ban on political demonstrations at Olympic venues.
- Officials said he may wear a plain black armband as a one-off exception, but the athlete has rejected the compromise and says he will keep contesting the ban.
- Heraskevych has worn the helmet during official training in Cortina d’Ampezzo without immediate sanction, with the men’s skeleton competition scheduled to start Thursday.
- Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee formally requested approval for the “helmet of remembrance,” arguing it contains no slogans or discriminatory elements; the IOC said equipment requests are evaluated under established guidelines.
- Media reports cited IOC warnings that persisting with the tribute gear in official sessions could trigger enforcement actions up to potential disqualification, with spokesman Mark Adams stressing that agreed athlete rules will be enforced.