Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladislav Heraskevitsh revealed on Instagram that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has prohibited him from using a helmet decorated with images of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russian forces during the war. Heraskevitsh is set to compete in the Milan-Cortina Olympics and planned to wear this helmet while participating in the games, as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict.

The IOC's decision was based on its Rule 50.2, which prohibits political statements in the sporting arena. According to Heraskevitsh, an IOC representative communicated the ban to him, stating that using the helmet would violate this rule. He expressed deep disappointment and heartbreak over the decision, feeling that it undermines the Olympic spirit by preventing athletes from honoring their fallen comrades on the sports stage.

This incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of sports, politics, and individual expression within the Olympic framework. As global sporting events increasingly intersect with geopolitical conflicts, this situation highlights the challenges faced by athletes who wish to advocate for their causes while adhering to organizational regulations designed to keep politics out of sports.