IOC Ban Olympic Athlete From Wearing 'Political' Helmet as Statement Made

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from wearing a "helmet of remembrance" at the Winter Olympics.

Earlier this week, Heraskevych took part in a training session for the Winter Olympics in Cortina while wearing a helmet that featured images of compatriots killed during the war in Ukraine.

The 27-year-old explained that many of those pictured on his helmet were athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov and boxer Pavlo Ishchenko.

Heraskevych planned to use the sporting event as a platform to keep attention on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

But on Monday, the Ukrainian athlete took to Instagram to claim that the IOC has banned the use of his helmet at official training sessions and competitions, a decision that simply "breaks my heart."

"The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honoured on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again," he added.

"Despite precedents in modern times and in the past when the IOC allowed such tributes, this time they decided to set special rules just for Ukraine."

Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych takes part in the skeleton men's training session on February 9. Image credit: Getty

Now, IOC spokesman Mark Adams has confirmed that the helmet broke the rules laid down in the Olympic Charter.

Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas".

Adams did confirm that Heraskevych will be allowed to wear a black armband in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the war.

"We have addressed from the beginning the issue, the IOC fully understands the desire of athletes to remember those who have lost their lives in that conflict and other conflicts around the world," Adams said.

"We have to focus on athlete performance and sport, and it is fundamental there are equal rights for all athletes, and keep it free from all interference.

"What we have said is that this helmet contravenes the above mentioned guidelines. We will however allow him to wear a black armband during competition. He has expressed himself on social media, but we feel this is a good compromise."

Vladyslav Heraskevych participates during Skeleton Men's Singles training on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Image credit: Getty

In the aftermath of Heraskevych's appearance in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Centre, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the athlete for "reminding the world of the price of our struggle".

He wrote on X: "His helmet bears portraits of our athletes who were killed by Russia. Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who was killed in combat near Bakhmut; Yevhen Malyshev, a 19-year-old biathlete killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv; and other Ukrainian athletes whose lives were taken by Russia’s war."

Zelensky added: "I thank the flag bearer of our national team at the Winter Olympics, Vladyslav Heraskevych, for reminding the world of the price of our struggle."

SPORTbible has reached out to the IOC for comment.