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IOC President Kirsty Coventry had an emotional meeting with Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych on the morning of discussions regarding his participation in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

A major controversy at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics came to a head on Thursday morning when Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing due to a helmet he wished to wear.

Heraskevych, who served as Ukraine's flagbearer during the opening ceremony, had planned to compete in the men's skeleton event while wearing a specially designed helmet that honored Ukrainian athletes who lost their lives during the Russian invasion.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) determined that this helmet violated the Olympic Charter, citing a rule that prohibits certain types of expression during competition, and informed Heraskevych on Tuesday that he would not be allowed to wear it.

Following two days of negotiations, during which Heraskevych refused to back down, it was officially announced on Thursday morning that he had been disqualified from competing.

Prior to the competition, Heraskevych was seen wearing the helmet in question during practice runs in Cortina and in media mixed zones.

Heraskevych had worn the helmet consistently throughout his training runs and during interactions with the media, but IOC rules prohibit such displays during official competitions.

According to IOC regulations, athletes are not permitted to wear attire or accessories that could be perceived as making a political statement during competition.

The IOC cited rule 40.2 of the Olympic Charter, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining freedom of expression while adhering to Olympic values and principles.

These guidelines, established in 2023, have been incorporated into Olympic law and provide a framework for athlete expression.

The guidelines state that the primary focus of the Olympic Games should be on athletic performance, sportsmanship, and unity, rather than political or social statements.

The IOC maintains that sport at the Olympic Games must remain neutral and separate from external influences, with the focus on celebrating athletic achievements during competitions and ceremonies.

Athletes are permitted to express their views through various channels, including media interviews, social media, and introductory ceremonies, but are restricted from doing so during medal ceremonies, competitions, and in the Olympic Village.

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in disciplinary action, as outlined by the IOC.

The IOC has emphasized that these rules have been established after consulting with approximately 4,500 athletes, with the goal of maintaining a focus on sportsmanship and athletic performance.

Initially, the IOC incorrectly cited rule 50 as the basis for Heraskevych's disqualification, which prohibits demonstrations or propaganda at Olympic sites.

Heraskevych's father, Mykhailo, received condolences from members of other federations after the decision was announced.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry met with Heraskevych and his father at 7:30 am on the day of the competition to make a final appeal for him to reconsider wearing the helmet.

Coventry described the meeting as respectful and lengthy but ultimately unsuccessful in reaching a compromise.

Coventry stated that the IOC is not disputing the message behind Heraskevych's helmet but rather the manner in which it is being expressed.

"The message is one of remembrance and tribute, and we are not disagreeing with that," Coventry explained to the media.

Coventry proposed an alternative solution, suggesting that Heraskevych could pay homage to the message before competing and then display the helmet in the mixed zone after the event.

Unfortunately, this proposal was not accepted, and Coventry expressed her disappointment, stating that it had been an emotional morning.

Coventry was visibly tearful after leaving the meeting, having competed as an Olympian herself and won two gold medals in swimming for Zimbabwe.

The IOC has reinstated Heraskevych's accreditation, allowing him to remain in the Olympic Village and attend the Games for the remainder of the competition.

During a tense media conference on Thursday morning, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams defended the decision to ban Heraskevych from competing.

Adams argued that permitting athletes to wear commemorative attire could lead to the exploitation of the Games for political purposes.

"With over 130 ongoing conflicts worldwide, we cannot allow the Games to become a platform for political expression," Adams stated.

Adams emphasized that the IOC's primary goal is to maintain a level playing field, free from external pressures and influences.

He reiterated that the IOC is committed to upholding the principles of neutrality and sportsmanship.

Adams denied allegations that the IOC had been pressured by the Russian Olympic Committee or government to ban Heraskevych.

Heraskevych has announced plans to file an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the decision to ban him from competing.

The CAS has the authority to convene ad-hoc committees during the Games, potentially allowing for a swift resolution to Heraskevych's appeal.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry was visibly emotional when addressing the media after her meeting with Heraskevych.

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available, including schedules and medal events.

The full schedule of events, including medal ceremonies, can be found online.

The current Winter Olympics 2026 medal table is also available.

The decision to ban Heraskevych has sparked widespread shock and criticism from former and current Olympic athletes.

Lizzy Yarnold, a two-time Olympic skeleton gold medalist from Team GB, expressed her surprise and confusion at the decision, stating that it has sent shockwaves through the sliding community.

The decision to wear the helmet was a meaningful tribute, holding significant emotional value for the individual involved, and served as a poignant memorial.

Critics argue that the IOC should reconsider their stance and offer an apology, as the decision has been widely perceived as misguided.

Olympic bobsledder John Jackson, a veteran and former Royal Marines commando, also expressed disappointment with the IOC's handling of the situation.

In an interview with the BBC, Jackson emphasized the importance of remembrance, particularly for those who have lost comrades in conflict, stating that it is a vital aspect of the military community.

As someone who has experienced the loss of friends and colleagues, Jackson underscored the significance of honoring their memory, highlighting the ultimate sacrifice they made.

Jackson voiced his support for the athlete's intention to pay tribute, stressing that it is essential to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and that their memory should be honored.

Meanwhile, Heraskevych described the feeling of being banned from competition as one of emptiness, following a strong training performance that had positioned him as a potential medallist.

Heraskevych expressed his frustration, stating that his disqualification was the result of an interpretation of the rules that he disagrees with, which has now prevented him from competing.

He questioned the IOC's expression guidelines, pointing out that other athletes have worn helmets with various designs and symbols, which could also be considered a form of expression.

Heraskevych noted that some of his competitors had worn helmets featuring national symbols, which were allowed, while his own helmet was deemed unacceptable, leading to his disqualification.

Heraskevych reiterated his desire to honor the memories of those who have fallen, believing that their sacrifice deserves recognition and that they should be remembered.

On Thursday, Heraskevych's international teammates showed their support for him during the competition in Italy.

Alpine skier Dmytro Shepiuk and luger Olena Smaha both demonstrated their support for Heraskevych, with Shepiuk displaying a note that read "Ukrainian heroes with us" and Smaha wearing a glove with the phrase "Remembrance is not a violation."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the IOC's decision, accusing the organization of inadvertently supporting Russian aggression by disqualifying Heraskevych.

Zelensky argued that the Olympic movement should promote peace and prevent wars, rather than taking actions that could be seen as favoring aggressors, stating that "sport shouldn't mean amnesia."

The Ukrainian president expressed his disappointment with the IOC's decision, which he believes contradicts the principles of the Olympic movement.

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The IOC's decision to ban Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has sparked controversy and raised questions about the organization's policies.