The Ukrainian luge relay team showed solidarity with skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, barred from competing for wearing a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the conflict with Russia.

The IOC disqualified Heraskevych from the Games for refusing to change his helmet honoring fellow athletes who died in the war with Russia.

Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych had his appeal dismissed as images on his helmet breached an Olympic ‘sacred principle’.

Schedule of Ukrainian events at the 2026 Games on Feb. 15: 11 a.m. — Alpine skiing (giant slalom, first run): Anastasiia Shepilenko. 11:15 a.m. — Biathlon (men’s pursuit): Vitalii Mandzyn, Dmytro Pidruchnyi.

The Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladislav Heraskevych displays the memorial helmet that resulted in his ban.

MILAN (AP) — Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak wrapped up his Olympics with a disappointing men's free skate Friday night, then had to endure waiting for his score while Russian athlete Petr Gumennik sat in the leader's chair about 10 feet away from him.

One of the biggest stories to come to the forefront during the opening week of the 2026 Winter Olympics surrounded Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was banned from competing because of his custom helmet.