The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to revoke the qualification of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. This decision came after Heraskevych announced his intention to wear a helmet inscribed with the images of Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives due to the ongoing war sparked by the Russian invasion. The IOC stated that wearing such a helmet violates Article 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political propaganda in Olympic events.

Despite the ban, Heraskevych affirmed his commitment to wear the helmet, arguing that it does not contravene any regulations. The IOC proposed a compromise allowing Heraskevych to wear the helmet during all official training runs and display it in the mixed zone after the competition, but this was rejected. The IOC indicated that they engaged in multiple discussions with the athlete, including a direct meeting with the IOC chair, but to no avail, as Heraskevych remained steadfast in his plans to wear the helmet.

As a result of this ongoing dispute, Heraskevych was ultimately disqualified from the men's skeleton event held on February 12, illustrating the tension between personal expression and Olympic regulations. The case raises questions about the intersection of sports and politics, especially in the context of ongoing conflicts, and how governing bodies like the IOC navigate these challenges while maintaining their rules against political statements at international sporting events.