News · 10 February 2026
Ukrainian racer accuses IOC of betrayal for banning helmet with dead athletes
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych accused the International Olympic Committee of "betrayal" on February 10, 2026, after officials banned his helmet depicting three athletes killed during the Russian invasion. The IOC rejected Ukraine's appeal citing Rule 50.2 against political propaganda but granted an exception allowing Heraskevych to wear a black armband. The banned helmet featured images of weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and hockey player Oleksiy Loginov.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs