Zelensky Honors Disqualified Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete After CAS Upholds Olympic Ban

Overview

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Milan rejected Vladyslav Heraskevych’s appeal, leaving him unable to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• IBSF judges disqualified him for using non‑approved equipment, and the IOC subsequently withdrew his credential following repeated refusal to comply.
• The IOC proposed an exceptional compromise allowing a black armband instead of the custom helmet, which Heraskevych declined.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Heraskevych the Order of Freedom at a ceremony in Germany and publicly praised his stance.
• Heraskevych said he received threats from Russians over the helmet and accused the IOC of enabling Russian propaganda, while Ukrainian officials criticized the decision.