Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevyč faced disqualification from the Olympic competition due to his intention to wear a helmet adorned with photographs of athletes who died during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This move was in defiance of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) regulations, which prohibit political statements within Olympic events. The IOC justified its decision by emphasizing that allowing such expressions would contravene the Olympic Charter's rules about political neutrality.

Before the race commenced, IOC President Kirsty Coventry made efforts to persuade Heraskevyč to reconsider his stance, but her interventions did not succeed. The IOC had previously agreed to a compromise, permitting the athlete to wear a mourning armband and express his viewpoints during interviews. Despite this concession, he remained firm in his resolve to honor the deceased by racing with the helmet, asserting the importance of their sacrifice for his team to compete.

Heraskevyč expressed that he felt it was his duty to race in memory of those who lost their lives, reiterating, "Thanks to their sacrifice, we can compete as a team. I will not betray them." This incident raises significant questions about the balance between athletic competition and political expression, particularly in contexts where national identities and tragedies are intertwined with sporting events.