Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing in the Milan/Cortina Olympics over a dispute concerning a helmet he wanted to wear in the skeleton event to honour athletes killed in the war with Russia.

The Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladislav Heraskevych displays the memorial helmet that resulted in his ban.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "proud" of Vladylsav Heraskevych, adding, "Having courage is worth more than any medal."

A Ukrainian skeleton racer has been banned from competing at the Winter Olympics after wearing a helmet honoring athletes who have died in the Ukraine War. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) set out its reasoning in a lengthy statement this morning after Vladyslav Heraskevych had questioned whether “this is the price of our dignity” on

Zelenskyy condemns the IOC for disqualifying Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych over a tribute helmet, sparking global debate on sport, politics, and remembrance amid the war.

Ukrainian artist Iryna Prots, 52, who painted the helmet that led to skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych being barred from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, says the tribute to over 20 athletes killed in Russia’s invasion had to be done.

As Ukrainian athletes prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, they will seek to boost the morale of their compatriots in Ukraine amid an ongoing war and a brutal winter.

Win-or-go-home hockey begins today as the USA women’s team faces host nation Italy in the quarterfinals. “Quad God” Ilia Malinin takes the ice again, hoping to cement his status as the best male figure skater and win gold. All times are in Eastern, and an asterisk signifies a medal event.