A Ukrainian skeleton racer, Vladyslav Heraskevych, has been disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet that honors athletes killed in the war with Russia, violating IOC guidelines on political statements. The IOC offered alternatives, but Heraskevych refused to compromise, stating, “This is the price of our dignity.” His appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport follows strong support from Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy. The IOC emphasized that the issue was not the message but the platform for its expression.
