Heraskevych Fights Disqualification Over 'Helmet of Remembrance'

Heraskevych seeks reinstatement or CAS-supervised run 

The Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych appeals disqualification from Milano Cortina Olympics over “helmet of remembrance” honoring athletes killed in Ukraine.

“We have only one arbitrator from Germany, and she will be in charge of this case...”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is hearing Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych's appeal over his disqualification from the Milano Cortina Olympics. Heraskevych, 27, was removed from the competition on Thursday for wearing a “helmet of remembrance” featuring athletes killed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation deemed a breach of Olympic neutrality rules.

Heraskevych's appeal argues the disqualification was disproportionate and caused him irreparable harm. He's seeking reinstatement or a CAS-supervised run. IOC President Kirsty Coventry met Heraskevych, expressing regret over the decision, but maintained the rules were clear. The Ukrainian government and public have rallied behind Heraskevych, calling the IOC's decision unjust.

Vladyslav Heraskevych is seeking reinstatement or a CAS-supervised run, pending a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ahead of the final two runs on Friday evening. The Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Olympics over his “helmet of remembrance” honoring athletes killed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb stated that a decision is hoped for today, but the timing is uncertain due to the tight schedule. The hearing could last several hours, and Reeb emphasized that the objective is to reach a decision before the start of the race.

“We hope to have a final ⁠decision announced today, but it’s difficult for me to say when,” Reeb told reporters. “Obviously, we know the schedule of the competition, and it is an objective for CAS to be ‌able to make a decision before the start of the race, but we don’t know how long the hearing will take.

“We have only one arbitrator from Germany, and she will be in charge of this case. We have participants attending in person, like the IOC, the athlete is here, the father of the athlete is here.”

The father of Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian athlete disqualified from the Olympic skeleton competition over his 'helmet of remembrance,' describes the pride he feels for his son https://t.co/T9NMGLgjtg pic.twitter.com/yYOxxLfE7Z

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 13, 2026

“We have a representative of ‌IBSF attending remotely. The athlete is also assisted by legal counsel speaking from Kyiv.”

Vladyslav Heraskevych believes he should be competing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the sliding events are taking place, rather than stuck in Milan.

“I should not be suspended. I believe I did not break any rules,” Heraskevych said.

“I should be part ⁠of the Games, part ⁠of the competition ‌and not of the hearing.”