The symbol of the helmet was not a collection of abstract designs; it was actually a visual representation of real people. The faces of over 20 members of the Ukrainian Olympic Team killed during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine were designed as part of the helmet.

Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was out of the 2026 Winter Olympics over a helmet honoring athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia.

The owner of Ukrainian football club donated more than $200,000 to skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych after the athlete was disqualified from the Winter Games before competing over the use of a helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, a likely medal contender at the Milan Cortina Games, was barred from racing Thursday after refusing a last-minute plea from the International Olympic Committee to not use a helmet that honors more than 20 athletes and coaches killed since Russia invaded his country four years ago.

Kyiv's chief negotiator describes US-mediated talks with Russia as difficult and complex