Banned Ukrainian skeleton racer vows to return with 'helmet of memory'

Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Olympics for wearing a helmet bearing the faces of 24 Ukrainians killed in the war; he is back in Kyiv, says he will appeal to a court outside IOC control and aims to compete again in 2030.

Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics after wearing a helmet that displayed the faces of 24 Ukrainians killed in the war. The decision drew international attention and left him unable to compete despite earlier permission to practise with the helmet and to wear a black armband. He has returned to Kyiv, has been awarded an order of freedom by the president, and says he will place gifted funds into a charity foundation. Heraskevych says he plans to appeal the disqualification in a court outside the control of the International Olympic Committee and hopes to race again at the 2030 Games. Key points: - The International Olympic Committee disqualified Heraskevych from Milano Cortina over a helmet that honoured 24 Ukrainians killed in the war, the athlete says. - He returned to Kyiv, received an award from the president, and has said a donated sum will go to a charity foundation. - The IOC had allowed him to practise in the helmet and to wear a black armband; Heraskevych says the formal disqualification decision was made the night before his court preparations. - He says he will appeal the ruling to a court not under IOC control and aims to compete at the 2030 Winter Olympics wearing the same helmet. Summary: The disqualification highlighted debate over political and commemorative expressions at the Games and prompted global coverage of Heraskevych's actions. He has announced an appeal to a court outside IOC control; the outcome of that appeal and whether he will compete in 2030 remain undetermined at this time.