Ukrainian skeleton athlete Geraskevich suspended from competing at the 2026 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Geraskevych from participating in the 2026 Olympics because of the use of a "memory helmet" that contradicts the rules of athletes' self-expression.

This was reported by Tribuna.com.

The IOC reported that the decision was made after numerous negotiations and personal meetings with Geraskevich, including with the committee's president, Kirsty Coventry, but no compromise was found. The committee emphasized that its position is not directed against the perpetuation of the memory of the fallen Ukrainian athletes, but only concerns where and how this can be done during competitions.

The athlete was offered alternatives: to show his helmet during training or to wear a black armband during official races. The IOC emphasized that there are other ways to express grief during the Olympics - in the media mix zone, at press conferences, and on social media.

Nevertheless, Geraskevich confirmed his intention to use the helmet in the competition, which was a violation of the IOC Guidelines on Athlete Self-Expression. As a result, his accreditation was revoked and he was unable to start the men's tournament on February 12, 2026.

The IOC noted that the decision was supported by the International Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and other winter sports federations, and all actions are aimed at complying with the rules and safety of the Olympic Games.

Earlier, Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Geraskevych was banned from using a helmet with portraits of athletes killed by Russian aggression at the 2026 Olympics. The athlete pointed to the selectivity of the committee's decisions, noting that an Italian snowboarder had worn a helmet with the image of the Russian flag despite the current restrictions, but this fact remained without sanctions from the IOC.

Анна Бальчінос