Why was Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych banned from the Winter Olympics? Helmet controversy explained

The Winter Olympics are all about togetherness. A celebration of ice and snow sports with athletes and supporters from around the globe.

But just like any Games, Milano-Cortina 2026 has not been without controversy and the banning of Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has proven the biggest talking point.

Heraskevych, one of 46 competitors from Ukraine in attendance, was due to race in the men's skeleton event and was optimistic about his medal chances after producing some fast times at the Cortina Sliding Centre in training.

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However, the 26-year-old was not part of the field when the event got under way on Thursday, having been banned from competing by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Heraskevych also had his accreditation withdrawn by the IOC, but that decision was reversed following a meeting with president Kirsty Coventry, which means he will be able to remain in the Olympic Village for the rest of the Games.

Radio Times explains why the Ukrainian athlete was banned from competing at the Winter Olympics 2026.

Why was Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych banned from the Winter Olympics?

Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from competing in the skeleton at the Winter Olympics 2026 for "refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines" over his plan to wear a helmet that featured images of athletes who have been killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Heraskevych had been allowed to wear the helmet for his training runs but had been told that he would not be allowed to wear it for the men's competition as it is "not compliant with the Olympic charter".

In a statement released that confirmed the news on Thursday morning, the IOC explained they had given the 26-year-old multiple warnings and explained that their decision "followed his refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules."

The IOC statement added: "The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete. This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it.

"Mr Heraskevych was able to display his helmet in all training runs. The IOC also offered him the option of displaying it immediately after the competition when going through the mixed zone."

In response to the decision, Heraskevych told BBC Sport: "I could be among the medallists in this event, but suddenly because of some interpretation of the rules which I do not agree with, I am not able to compete while other athletes in the same situation were able to compete, and they didn't face any sanctions."

He has since had his accreditation reinstated, which came after a "very respectful" discussion with the IOC president, which means he can remain in the Olympic Village but is unable to compete.

"Athletes asked us to keep certain areas – the field of play, the podium and the Olympic Village – safe zones," said IOC president Kirsty Coventry. "How could we keep them safe in order to not be asked to use the field of play or the podium for something that they didn’t agree with?

"No one – no one, especially me – is disagreeing with the messaging. The messaging is a powerful message. It’s a message of remembrance. It’s a message of memory.

"It’s not about the messaging; it’s literally about the rules and the regulations. In this case – the field of play – we have to be able to keep a safe environment for everyone. And sadly, that just means no messaging is allowed."

Russia and Belarus have been banned from competing by the IOC as a result of the Ukraine war, with athletes from those countries able to take part as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs).

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