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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lawrence Ostlere

Why was a Ukrainian skeleton racer banned from the Winter Olympics? War tribute helmet controversy explained

The president of the International Olympic Committee has defended the decision to ban Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing at the 2026 Winter Games.

During practice runs at Milan-Cortina, Heraskevych wore a helmet bearing the images of Ukrainians killed as a result of Russia’s invasion of the country, and insisted he would wear the helmet when the competition began on Thursday morning.

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