Olympics Bans Ukrainian Over Helmet Showing Dead Fellow Athletes

Lying face-down on a flat sled, ready to lunge head-first down an ice track, skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych wore a helmet during his training sessions for the Winter Olympics featuring images of fellow Ukrainians who had died during Russia’s invasion of his country.

When it came to competing, shortly before his turn, he was told to change helmets or risk disqualification. As a compromise, the International Olympic Committee said Heraskevych could wear a black armband, but he refused, and was disqualified.