Vladislav Heraskivych, a Ukrainian skier, was disqualified from participating in the skeleton event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics due to his decision to wear a controversial helmet. The helmet prominently features images of war victims from Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, causing contention with the Olympic guidelines on athletes' expressions. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had proposed that he wear a black armband instead as a compromise, but Heraskivych chose to stand by his symbolic gesture.

The IOC's disqualification of Heraskivych reflects the delicate balance the Committee must maintain regarding athletes' freedom of expression while adhering to established rules. As stated by an IOC spokesperson, Heraskivych's refusal to comply with the guidelines necessitated this action. Despite multiple meetings, including discussions directly involving IOC President Kirsty Coventry, there was no resolution or willingness from Heraskivych to adapt his stance.

This incident underscores the broader implications of how athletes engage with political and social issues through their platforms, especially in relation to ongoing wars and conflicts. It also raises questions about the IOC's policies concerning athlete representation and the potential backlash from political statements in future international sports events.