Ukrainian Athlete Banned for Helmet Honoring War Victims Sparks Controversy

Sat Feb 14 2026 22:26:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton racer, has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics after refusing to remove a helmet memorializing athletes lost since the Russian invasion. The incident ignites debate over sports and political expressions in wartime.

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was recently banned from competing in the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet that commemorates fellow athletes killed during the ongoing war with Russia. His refusal to remove the helmet has led to substantial controversy, sparking discussions about the intersection of sports and politics amidst conflict. His helmet bears the likenesses of over 20 athletes, including some he knew personally, prompting a wider reflection on the loss of life in the ongoing war.

The War Dead Pictured on Banned Ukrainian Athlete’s Helmet

Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion is the Games' biggest controversy so far.

Heraskevych was barred from the men's skeleton in Milan-Cortina earlier this week after he refused to stop wearing his ‘helmet of remembrance’. His appeal to retain the helmet was denied shortly after.

“I wanted to pay my respects,” Heraskevych said of the helmet which honors individuals like teenage weightlifter Alina Perehudova and boxer Pavlo Ishchenko. “They were not just athletes; some were my friends.” The helmet features more than 20 such figures.

This incident not only highlights the ongoing toll of the conflict but also raises questions about the role of athletes and sports within political contexts. The artwork on Heraskevych's helmet illustrates a stark reminder of the casualties faced by Ukraine's sporting community due to the war.

The reaction to his disqualification has been polarized, illuminating the tension between competitive integrity and national pride. While some view his actions as disrespectful to the Olympic spirit, others argue it is a poignant representation of the harsh realities imposed by war.

As discussions continue regarding the implications of such actions on the global sports stage, Heraskevych’s attempt to bring attention to the loss of life mirrors a larger narrative concerning identity, memory, and the consequences of conflict amid the backdrop of international sporting events.