Ukrainian Olympian disqualified over photographs of conflict useless on his helmet : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x5504+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2Feb%2F4fd513b940daa8631e28c68d4cff%2Fgettyimages-2260504946.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x5504+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2Feb%2F4fd513b940daa8631e28c68d4cff%2Fgettyimages-2260504946.jpg" class="img" alt="Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Centre during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 11, 2026. (" fetchpriority="high"/> Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych takes half within the skeleton males's coaching session at Cortina Sliding Centre in the course of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Video games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 11, 2026. TIZIANA FABI/AFP conceal caption

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TIZIANA FABI/AFP MILAN - The Worldwide Olympic Committee has disqualified Ukrainian sled racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Milan Cortina Video games. Heraskevych insisted on carrying a helmet painted with the faces of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia because the full scale invasion in 2022.

Heraskevych, who races within the skeleton self-discipline, stated on social media he believes the IOC was unfair in its ruling Monday that the 'memorial' helmet violates a ban on political speech in the course of the Video games.

However on Thursday the IOC issued a short assertion saying Heraskevych wouldn't be allowed to compete in skeleton races as we speak in Cortina.

'The choice adopted his refusal to adjust to the IOC's pointers on athlete expression," the assertion stated.

Heraskevych drew help in his bid from Ukrainians together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Posting on Instagram after he was excluded from competitors, Heraskevych stated, "That is the value of our dignity."

The conflict over the pictures on Heraskevych's helmet comes throughout a winter when Ukraine has been hit onerous by Russian strikes, leaving communities with out energy and warmth for prolonged intervals. Russia faces strict restrictions on competitors on the Olympics due to its invasion. Solely 13 Russian nationals are competing on the Milan Cortina Video games as impartial athletes.

Heraskevych is a critical medal contender in skeleton racing - a high-speed sport the place athletes hurtle face-forward down an icy monitor - on the Milan Cortina Video games. He completed fourth eventually 12 months's world championships.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2268x1512+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F46%2Fb9%2F237249194ce387c6aff66fc2108e%2Fgettyimages-2260668065.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2268x1512+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F46%2Fb9%2F237249194ce387c6aff66fc2108e%2Fgettyimages-2260668065.jpg" class="img" alt="Mykhailo Heraskevych (L), the father of Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, reacts after his son was disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 12, 2026. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on February 12, 2026 after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia. In a statement, the International Olympic Committee said Heraskevych is "not allowed to participate at Milano-Cortina 2026 after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines"." loading="lazy"/> Mykhailo Heraskevych (L), the daddy of Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, reacts after his son was disqualified from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Video games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 12, 2026. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on February 12, 2026 after refusing to again down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his nation's conflict with Russia. In an announcement, the Worldwide Olympic Committee stated Heraskevych is "not allowed to take part at Milano-Cortina 2026 after refusing to stick to the IOC athlete expression pointers". ODD ANDERSEN/AFP conceal caption