A UKRAINIAN skeleton racer who had vowed to wear a ‘helmet of memory’ at the Milan-Cortina Games has been sensationally kicked out.
Defiant Vladyslav Heraskevych wore a helmet in training this week that depicted images of compatriots killed since the Russian invasion in 2022.
Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified from the Winter Olympic skeleton event due to his helmetCredit: Getty
Heraskevych wore a helmet in training this week that depicted images of compatriots killed since the Russian invasionCredit: PA
Some of those faces were of former sportsmen and children that had died over the last four years of conflict.
The Ukraine Opening Ceremony flagbearer had planned to don the same equipment in official competition.
And the IOC had “begged” the 27-year-old not to flout the rules around ‘political statements’, saying he could honour fallen comrades before and after the competition, just not in the ‘field of play’.
They had allowed him to wear a black armband “to make that commemoration” following showdown talks with him and his camp in Cortina.
Yet on Thursday morning – less than half an hour before the first run of the men’s skeleton was due to take place – it was announced he would not take part.
According to the IOC, they held “multiple exchanges and in-person meetings” with Mr Heraskevych and Olympics President Kirsty Coventry, with the last being this morning.
While the “IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete”, they have “decided with regret to withdraw his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games”.
The IOC say their course of action has the full support of the IBSF and the Winter Olympic Federations (WOF)”.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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