Ukrainian skeleton athletes take a knee to show solidarity to their fellow teammate Vladyslav Heraskevych. Heraskevych was banned from competing in the men's skeleton event earlier in the day, after the IOC ruled the athlete's helmet broke Olympic regulations.

The IOC announced its decision to remove his accreditation before Heraskevych's first heats Thursday in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "proud" of Vladylsav Heraskevych, adding, "Having courage is worth more than any medal."

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych pushed at the limits of the International Olympic Committee’s rules on freedom of expression, and the global sports body pushed back

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, a likely medal contender at the Milan Cortina Games, was barred from racing Thursday after refusing a last-minute plea from the International Olympic Committee to not use a helmet that honors more than 20 athletes and coaches killed since Russia invaded his country

The International Olympic Committee banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics after Heraskevych refused to refrain from racing in a helmet that honors athletes killed in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The IOC has withdrawn Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych from competition after he refused to comply with athlete expression rules banning messaging on the field of play. His helmet featured portraits of athletes killed in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

A Ukrainian athlete has been disqualified from the Winter Olympics over his insistence on wearing a helmet honoring people killed in his country's war with Russia