APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Skeleton
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych talks to the media at the start house of the sliding center at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
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Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych is out of the Milan Cortina Games after he refused to stop wearing a banned tribute helmet. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry met him at the track before the men’s race for a private talk to make a last-minute plea but Heraskevych refused to change his stance. His helmet shows the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia. The IOC says the helmet breaks rules against political statements in competition. Coventry wept as she discussed the decision with reporters.
