Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych made a powerful statement at the Winter Olympics training in Cortina by wearing a helmet adorned with images of people killed in Ukraine's ongoing war. The 26-year-old athlete, who served as Ukraine's flagbearer in the opening ceremony, dedicated the tribute to friends lost in the conflict, including athletes like teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov.

Heraskevych has consistently used his Olympic platform to raise awareness about the war since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. He previously held up a 'No War in Ukraine' sign at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, just days before the invasion began. The International Olympic Committee has contacted Ukraine's Olympic Committee regarding the helmet, which is currently being processed under Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter that prohibits political demonstrations at Olympic venues.

As Ukraine's first skeleton athlete, Heraskevych has promised to respect Olympic rules while still drawing attention to the war. His actions come amid the gradual return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition, with 13 Russian athletes competing as Individual Neutral Athletes in Milan-Cortina. The poignant tribute underscores how athletes continue to navigate the intersection of sports and geopolitics during the Games.