Ukrainian racer says he will wear ‘helmet of remembrance’ despite IOC ban

Ukrainian racer says he will wear ‘helmet of remembrance’ despite IOC banImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vladyslav Heraskevych has used his public profile to protest against the Russian invasion of UkraineByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalistPublished10 February 2026, 11:47 GMTUpdated 2 hours agoUkrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says he will wear a helmet featuring images of people killed during Russia’s invasion of his home country despite it being banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).The IOC mentioned the helmet breaks the rules laid down in the Olympic Charter, but Heraskevych will be allowed to wear a black armband in remembrance of those who have lost their lives.Heraskevych, who wore the helmet during a training session at the Winter Olympics in Cortina, mentioned he “disagrees” with the IOC’s decision.”I truly believe that we didn’t violate any rules. Rule 50, political propaganda, discrimination propaganda, racial propaganda is definitely not about this helmet,” mentioned Heraskevych.”The plan is, I used it in all trainings. So I used it February the 8th. I used it yesterday. I used it today. I will use it tomorrow and I will use it on a race day.”Heraskevych, 26, told Reuters many of those pictured on his ‘helmet of remembrance’ were athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, and some of them were his friends.Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas”.”We have addressed from the beginning the issue, the IOC fully understands the desire of athletes to remember those who have lost their lives in that conflict and other conflicts around the world,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams mentioned.”We have to focus on athlete performance and sport, and it is fundamental there are equal rights for all athletes, and keep it free from all interference.”What we have mentioned is that this helmet contravenes the above mentioned guidelines. We will however allow him to wear a black armband during competition. He has expressed himself on social media, but we feel this is a good compromise.”Ukraine skeleton racer says war victim helmet banned