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IOC disqualifies Ukrainian over helmet

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The International Olympic Committee disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet commemorating compatriots killed in Russia's invasion, a decision critics called politicized.

The Guardian
Winter Olympics 2026: Weston chases skeleton gold for GB, Heraskevych’s appeal rejected by Cas – live

• Medal table | Live scores and schedule | Results | Briefing • Follow us over on Bluesky | Get in touch: mail James Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler will be able to participate in the Winter Olympics despite failing a doping test, the Italian skiing federation (Fisi) said on Friday. Italy’s anti-doping body (Nado) upheld her appeal against a provisional suspension that followed a positive test for the banned substance Letrozole on 26 January. Nado’s Court of Appeal acknowledged the possibility of unintentional ingestion or unknowing contamination of the substance. “Passler will rejoin her teammates starting Monday, February 16, when she will be available to the coaching staff for the subsequent competitions on the Olympic programme, ” Fisi said in a statement. Continue reading. . .

Winter Olympics 2026: Weston chases skeleton gold for GB, Heraskevych’s appeal rejected by Cas – live
Reposts 4 1h
Aftenposten
The Ukrainian's appeal was dismissed - the helmet disqualification in the Olympics stands

Vladyslav Heraskevytsj (27) did not prevail at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and remains disqualified from the Olympics.

The Ukrainian's appeal was dismissed - the helmet disqualification in the Olympics stands
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Süddeutsche Zeitung
The Heraskewytsch case: The helmet scandal reveals how unclear the IOC's rules are

After losing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch is prepared to take the case to national courts as well. That could pose a major problem for sport.

The Heraskewytsch case: The helmet scandal reveals how unclear the IOC's rules are
Reposts 0 3h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Olympics: Controversy over ice-dance decision

Did a French judge favor the winners from France? The case of the Ukrainian Heraskewytsch is being heard. German biathlon men miss the medal by a wide margin. All the news in the Newsblog.

Olympics: Controversy over ice-dance decision
Reposts 0 4h
Tages-Anzeiger
Skeleton athlete Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch: False tears? IOC president cries over the Ukrainian's exclusion

The 27-year-old wanted to start with 24 portraits of fallen athletes on his helmet. For the Olympic Committee, that's too political. The athlete now takes the route to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Skeleton athlete Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch: False tears? IOC president cries over the Ukrainian's exclusion
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To Vima
Winter Olympics: CAS to decide the fate of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych after exclusion over the "memory helmet"

At the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) today the participation of the Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych in the Winter Olympics Milano-Cortina 2026 is being decided.

Winter Olympics: CAS to decide the fate of Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych after exclusion over the "memory helmet"
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The Guardian
Olympic chiefs have got it badly wrong over Heraskevych ban and owe him an apology | Lizzy Yarnold

As athletes we try to focus on our event and the task at hand, but our lives do not take place in a vacuum I’m deeply saddened by the IOC banning the skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Winter Olympics. His helmet depicting images of athletes and children who died in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some who he knew personally, was a human display of remembrance. The IOC’s response was not an appropriate one. One only needed to look at the image of Heraskevych’s father when he was told the news of his son’s disqualification - doubled over with his head in his hands - to know the emotional toll. I cannot imagine what they are experiencing but, as both a former athlete and just a fan watching on, I also feel emotional about it and cried when Vlad and his dad messaged me on social media to say thank you for my messages of support. Continue reading. . .

Olympic chiefs have got it badly wrong over Heraskevych ban and owe him an apology | Lizzy Yarnold
Reposts 15 8h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Live Blog Olympia 2026: "Dear Friedrich. Umm, dear Mr. Merz. I'm really sorry"

Olympic champion tells anecdote with the chancellor +++ Biathlete may start after doping test results +++ Fear of a gold-medal coup by the lugers +++ Ice hockey fan arrested +++ all Olympics 2026 news in the live blog.

Live Blog Olympia 2026: "Dear Friedrich. Umm, dear Mr. Merz. I'm really sorry"
Reposts 0 9h
Dagens Nyheter
Letter to the Editor. Response: Winter Sports in the Olympics Are Needed to Engage with Climate Issues

RESPONSE TO THE LETTER. Not everything can be reduced to a climate issue, and for many people sport is one of the most important sources of joy. Demanding unilaterally that winter sports at the Olympics be scrapped risks alienating people rather than engaging them in the transition that is actually needed, writes winter sports enthusiast Johan Hultman.

Letter to the Editor. Response: Winter Sports in the Olympics Are Needed to Engage with Climate Issues
Reposts 0 11h
Der Standard
Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskewytsch: 'I think I am doing the right thing'

The IOC-disqualified athlete talks about the values of sport, his fight against Russia's return—and the price of being uncomfortable.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskewytsch: 'I think I am doing the right thing'
Reposts 0 11h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Nach Ausschluss durch das IOC: Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch und sein Kampf um die Bilder

Der Ausschluss von Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch ist die prägende Geschichte der Spiele. Bei seinem ersten Auftritt danach sagt der Ukrainer: „Der Fehler ist 2014 passiert. “ Nun setzt er auf das Sportgericht.

Nach Ausschluss durch das IOC: Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch und sein Kampf um die Bilder
Reposts 1 12h
The Guardian
Winter Olympics briefing: Heraskevych’s helmet dispute raises tough questions

The controversy over the IOC’s decision to bar the Ukrainian from competing has cast a long shadow over the Games The Winter Olympics have been presented as a stage for unity - a place where nations set aside conflict, athletes chase excellence, and the world gathers in a shared celebration of human potential. Yet Thursday was shadowed by controversy for the International Olympic Committee that raise difficult questions about neutrality and the limits of political expression in sport. The Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing after he insisted on wearing what he called a “helmet of memory”, created to honour Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia’s war against his country. He was informed only 21 minutes before racing by the IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, who spoke to the media in tears after she could not persuade him to change his mind. Continue reading. . .

Winter Olympics briefing: Heraskevych’s helmet dispute raises tough questions
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Der Spiegel
Olympic Games 2026: International Press Reactions to the Disqualification of Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch

The disqualification of the Ukrainian Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch is the major topic of the Winter Games. The IOC's decision is drawing strong criticism in the international press.

Olympic Games 2026: International Press Reactions to the Disqualification of Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch
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Le Monde
Olympics 2026: Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian athlete excluded for his helmet honoring compatriots killed during the war, says he is paying 'the price of dignity'

That gesture was deemed by the IOC to violate the Olympic Charter. The Ukrainian, who had real chances of winning a medal, filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Olympics 2026: Vladyslav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian athlete excluded for his helmet honoring compatriots killed during the war, says he is paying 'the price of dignity'
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by W. Andy Knight

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biancanobilo on Instagram: "Are the Olympics apolitical? Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych says being banned from competing at the Winter Olympics for we…"
Are the Olympics apolitical? Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych says being banned from competing at the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet featuring athletes killed in Russia’s invasion “is the price of our dignity”
www.instagram.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:32 AM

Reposted by Karen O’Leary

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IOC's "neutral athlete" policy exposed: russian athletes with pro-war ties still competing.

Once again, the Olympic committee prioritises participation over principles.

BBC Sport has verified the following evidence relating to four individuals cleared to compete as neutrals: 📎
Winter Olympics 2026: Russian athletes linked to pro-war activity
BBC Sport finds evidence raising questions over the neutral eligibility of four Russian athletes.
www.bbc.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:47 AM

by Euan G. Ritchie

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euanritchie.bsky.social
War mongering? They are honouring dead athletes.
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 AM
The Sidney Morning Herald
A line in the snow: Why the Ukrainian athlete was banned and others were not

The International Olympic Committee has explained why one athlete was banned, while others were not, but questions remain in an Olympics riven by politics.

A line in the snow: Why the Ukrainian athlete was banned and others were not
Reposts 1 19h
La Repubblica
The helmet of discord, the Ukrainian athlete excluded: Zelensky attacks the IOC

Displaying the faces of dead athletes is not allowed. But he has not been disqualified.

The helmet of discord, the Ukrainian athlete excluded: Zelensky attacks the IOC
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Reposted by Patrice M. Dabrowski

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Ukrainian Air Force stands with Vladyslav Heraskevych.
"Remembrance is not a violation"
February 12, 2026 at 10:41 PM
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