IOC Bans Vladyslav Heraskevych's Tribute Helmet at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from wearing a helmet honoring athletes killed in the war at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Following an appeal by the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, the organization maintained the prohibition under Rule 50 but permitted Vladyslav Heraskevych to wear a black armband.Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the athlete for highlighting the human cost of the conflict while Vladyslav Heraskevych criticized the ruling as a betrayal of the Olympic movement.