Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denounced the International Olympic Committee's decision to ban skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the 2026 Winter Olympics as 'morally appalling'. The ban stems from a controversy involving Heraskevych's helmet design, which reportedly violated IOC regulations regarding political messaging on equipment.

Heraskevych, who had been preparing to compete for Ukraine in Milan-Cortina, expressed disappointment at the ruling that prevents him from participating in the Games. The IOC maintains that the helmet's design constituted unauthorized political content, while Zelenskyy argues the decision unfairly targets Ukrainian athletes during wartime.

The controversy adds to the political tensions surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics, where several nations have raised concerns about athlete representation and fair competition. Heraskevych's case has drawn international attention, with Ukrainian officials calling for the IOC to reconsider its stance and allow the athlete to compete under neutral conditions.