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Ukrainian Athlete Faces Winter Olympics Ban Over Helmet Design
On his helmet, Vladyslav Heraskevych honors fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A controversy has emerged at the Winter Olympics surrounding Ukrainian slider Vladislav Heraskevych, who was disqualified for wearing a helmet that pays tribute to fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Heraskevych's participation in the men's skeleton event in Milan-Cortina was barred earlier this week after he declined to remove the helmet, and his subsequent appeal was rejected on Friday.
The helmet features images of several athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, some of whom were reportedly friends of Heraskevych.
In total, more than 20 athletes are depicted on the helmet, each with their own story.
Androschuk, a young athlete, lost his life in January 2023 while fighting in the Bakhmut area of eastern Ukraine, just a few years after his 22nd birthday.
He had represented Ukraine in international decathlon and pentathlon competitions, showcasing his athletic prowess.
Initially, Androschuk had aspirations to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris or the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, but injuries led him to join the army in 2022, as reported by the New York Times.
According to Oleksiy Kasyanov, the general secretary of Ukraine's track and field federation, Androschuk's decision to join the army was driven by his sense of duty, with Kasyanov stating, "It was his dream."
Bakhur, a 17-year-old national kickboxing champion, was killed in 2023 during Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region of north-eastern Ukraine.
She had competed at both national and international levels, representing Ukraine with distinction.
Bakhur's life was cut short when she suffered fatal shrapnel wounds while seeking shelter in the city of Berestyn, just weeks before her 18th birthday.
Her coach, Volodymyr Zibarov, remembered Bakhur as an athlete with "enormous potential," whose life was tragically cut short.
In an interview with Ukrainian newspaper Pravda, Zibarov recounted the circumstances of Bakhur's death, saying, "We were supposed to leave for the World Cup in Austria… a Russian missile took Karyna from us one day earlier."
Diachenko, an 11-year-old gymnast, died in March 2022 in the south-eastern city of Mariupol, as reported by the memorial website Angels of Sport.
She was killed instantly, along with her father, when a Russian air strike hit their home, while her mother and brother were injured and later died in a hospital that was also hit by an air strike.
Halinichev lost his life in 2023 in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian news outlet Tribuna, Halinichev had chosen to volunteer as a soldier in 2022, rather than participate in a European boxing championship.
In an interview with Voice of America, one of Halinichev's coaches recalled that the athlete had been deeply affected by the destruction caused by the war, feeling compelled to take up arms.
Halinichev had expressed his motivation for fighting, saying, "I have a little child, and I don't want her to live in occupation among the aggressor, among the Russians," as quoted by another coach.
Tribuna reported that Halinichev was injured twice during the conflict but continued to fight until his death.
He had achieved notable success in his athletic career, winning silver medals at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the 2021 European U22 Championships.
Ishchenko, a four-time strongman champion and former Ukrainian powerlifting champion from Kyiv, was also a coach who mentored young athletes.
He was remembered by Ukrainian outlet Sport.ua as a role model who inspired new generations of athletes with his resilience, courage, and dedication to sport and country.
Ishchenko lost his life on the front lines in 2023.
His legacy continues to inspire athletes in Ukraine.
Ivashko, a nine-year-old judo enthusiast, was killed in June 2023 while attempting to shelter from Russian air strikes in Kyiv, along with her mother.
The Ukrainian Judo Federation's president, Mykhailo Koshlyak, described Ivashko's death as "painful for the entire Ukrainian judo family."
Khabarov, a 31-year-old athlete, was a prominent figure in Ukrainian national shooting sports for over a decade, according to the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
Throughout his career, he had set multiple national records and won national championships.
In 2023, Khabarov joined the army and lost his life in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
ISSF president Luciano Rossi paid tribute to Khabarov, stating, "He was an elite athlete who paused his career to defend his country, and will forever be in the hearts and memories of the Ukrainian people."
Kononenko was a competitive strongman and actor who appeared in popular Ukrainian TV programs.
He joined the front lines in February 2022 and suffered a severe injury by November, as reported by Pravda.
Kononenko designed his own rehabilitation program, which he shared on social media, before returning to fight on the front lines, where he became a senior lieutenant and commander of a rifle platoon.
Contact with Kononenko was lost during a combat mission in February last year, and he has since been considered missing in action, with a funeral held for him in December.
Kozubenko, a 31-year-old diver and coach from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, died in combat last year.
The Ukrainian Sports Committee acknowledged Kozubenko's sacrifice, stating, "In the country's most difficult time, Kozubenko took up arms to defend his native land."
His death was a loss for the Ukrainian sports community.
Kurdel, a 20-year-old dancer, was killed in July 2022 during a Russian air attack in the central city of Kryvyi Rih.
She was training at a sports ground with her father when the attack occurred, resulting in injuries to her parents, who survived.
Prior to her passing, Kurdel achieved success in numerous international dance competitions, earning recognition for her talents.
Between 2006 and 2016, Kutsenko represented Ukraine in European and World track cycling championships, showcasing his skills as a champion athlete.
The 34-year-old, who had been residing in Italy with his family, returned to Ukraine following the full-scale invasion to enlist in the army.
Regional officials reported that he lost his life in 2024 during a combat operation.
A Russian missile strike on a Dnipro high-rise building in 2023 resulted in the death of 15-year-old Lebid.
Lebid held the position of president of her school's student council and was also an avid ballroom dancer.
As stated in her student council election campaign, Lebid described herself as a 15-year-old with a music education, a passion for learning English, and a hobby of cultivating houseplants, highlighting her determination, friendliness, and strong work ethic.
Loginov, the former goalkeeper of Ukraine's professional ice hockey team Bilyi Bars, had a notable athletic career.
Loginov's life was cut short at the age of 23 in the Luhansk region in 2023.
Malyshev, 19, lost his life on the front lines in Kharkiv.
He had previously competed in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a biathlete.
Malyshev was posthumously honored with an Order For Courage in 2022.
Peregudova, 14, was killed in March 2022 during Russian shelling of Mariupol.
According to Pravda, Peregudova and her mother were fatally injured shortly after leaving their house when an explosion occurred, and her brother was subsequently shot by a Russian sniper.
Peregudova was a promising young athlete, having been a candidate for the Ukrainian national weightlifting team and preparing to participate in a European Championship.
Polischchuk was a track and field athlete specializing in the high jump.
He enlisted in Ukraine's armed forces shortly after the full-scale invasion began and died in March 2023.
Sharpar, a 25-year-old figure skater, lost his life near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in 2023.
Originally from Kharkiv, Sharpar won a silver medal at the Ukrainian Championships in 2016 and participated in the Youth Winter Olympics in Norway the same year.
After retiring from professional figure skating, Sharpar went on to perform in ice shows.
Shpuk joined the Ukrainian army in 2014 as part of a volunteer battalion.
He later became involved in veteran sports and coached the Ukrainian team at the Invictus Games.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion, Shpuk rejoined the army and died in November 2023.
Troyan, a 32-year-old former professional athlete, died in June 2025 in the Pokrovsk area of eastern Ukraine after sustaining injuries during a combat mission.
In addition to her athletic career, Troyan worked as a programmer and journalist at an international IT company before enlisting in the army in 2024.
According to Angels of Sport, Troyan operated drones in over 1,000 combat missions.
Yaramenko was a member of Ukraine's national Greco-Roman wrestling team.
He died just days shy of his 26th birthday in December.
Yaramenko had aspirations of becoming a coach and had pursued a master's degree in physical culture and sports, as reported by Angels of Sport.
Yaramenko lost his life during a combat mission.
Those who knew him described Yaramenko as a person with a strong sense of justice, inner balance, and a kind heart, according to Angels of Sport.
Yepifanov, a national fencing champion in Ukraine, put his athletic career on hold to fight on the front lines.
At the age of 18, Yepifanov enlisted in the army during the initial days of the full-scale invasion and died in 2023.
Zui, 13, was an enthusiastic young athlete who enjoyed boxing and football, playing the latter for a local team in Mariupol.
Zui's life was tragically cut short in March 2022 when a Russian air strike hit the high-rise building where his family was seeking shelter, resulting in the loss of his parents as well.
News
Tudor’s Potential Impact on Spurs After Appointment
Following Igor Tudor’s agreement to manage Tottenham for the rest of the season, BBC Sport examines the potential approach his team may adopt under his leadership.
Since his dismissal from Juventus in October 2025, Igor Tudor has been without a managerial position.
With Tudor set to take the reins at Tottenham for the remainder of the season, fans are wondering what to expect from his team's performances.
Tudor's inaugural match as interim head coach will be a high-stakes encounter, as Tottenham hosts Arsenal in the Premier League on 22 February.
The 47-year-old manager will have limited time to implement his tactics, with the players returning to training on Monday, and they may be in for a surprise.
According to George Boxall, a football journalist who covered Tudor's tenure in Marseille from 2022 to 2023, "his approach is characterized by intensity."
Boxall notes that Tudor's teams are known for their tireless work rate, saying, "the players cover a lot of ground, and there's a strong emphasis on pressing."
Boxall believes that Tudor's personality could be a good fit for Tottenham, stating, "he's a strong character who could bring a much-needed spark to the team."
Following his departure from Juventus in October 2025, Tudor is now poised to begin his first managerial stint in England, having previously managed clubs in Italy, France, Turkey, Croatia, and Greece.
Tudor's primary objective is to alleviate Tottenham's relegation concerns, which were exacerbated by a 2-1 loss to Newcastle in Thomas Frank's final match, leaving them just five points above the bottom three.
As a former defender who earned 55 caps for Croatia and made over 150 appearances for Juventus, Tudor has a clear expectation for his players: a high level of physical exertion.
L'Equipe journalist Pierre-Etienne Minonzio recalls Tudor saying in an interview, "if you don't run, you don't play," highlighting the manager's emphasis on work rate.
During his time in Marseille, Tudor consistently employed a 3-5-2 formation, which was entertaining to watch, according to Minonzio.
However, this approach sometimes led to difficulties, as evidenced by the limited playing time given to skilled but less industrious players like Dimitri Payet.
Minonzio jokingly notes that even a player of Lionel Messi's caliber would struggle to earn a starting spot under Tudor if he didn't meet the manager's fitness expectations.
Tudor's sole season in charge of Marseille saw the team finish third in Ligue 1, surpassing their points total from the previous campaign, despite ultimately falling short of the top two spots.
Minonzio praises Tudor's direct and uncompromising approach, saying, "he doesn't try to be liked, and he's very straightforward in his communication."
Tudor maintains a professional distance from his players, with a focus on creating an intense training environment that prepares them for the physical demands of matches.
As a player, Tudor won back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons and started in the 2003 Champions League final, which Juventus lost to AC Milan.
Tudor began his managerial career with Hajduk Split, before going on to manage Galatasaray, Udinese, Marseille, and Lazio, eventually replacing Thiago Motta at Juventus in March 2025.
Initially appointed as interim head coach, Tudor was given the permanent position after leading Juventus to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A and securing Champions League qualification.
Italian football journalist Daniele Verri describes Tudor as an "aggressive manager" who demands a similar level of intensity from his teams.
Verri notes that Tudor's teams are characterized by their pressing, vertical style of play, and strong defensive presence, with an emphasis on playing on the wings.
According to Verri, Juventus appointed Tudor due to his connection to the club as a former player, hoping to instill a more aggressive and vertical style of play.
Tudor's managerial career has yielded one major trophy, the Croatian Cup, which he won with Hajduk Split in 2013.
However, his tenure at Juventus was marked by tension, particularly after the arrival of general manager Damien Commoli, which ultimately led to his dismissal.
Tudor was sacked after just seven months, following an eight-game winless streak, which left Juventus eighth in Serie A and 25th in the Champions League's league phase.
During his time at Juventus, Tudor achieved a win rate of 47.1% in 17 league games, with eight victories.
Verri attributes the tension between Tudor and Commoli to disagreements over transfer market decisions, including the departure of Kolo Muani, which Tudor had opposed.
Tudor's frequent changes to the starting lineup created uncertainty, and his public criticism of the team's performances and transfer dealings ultimately led to his dismissal.
As Verri notes, the team's poor performance and the fans' dissatisfaction with the results contributed to the decision to part ways with Tudor.
According to Verri, Juventus never felt that Tudor was the right person to take the team to the next level.
Analysis by BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel provides insight into Tottenham's decision to appoint Tudor.
The club's primary objective was to find an interim head coach who could see out the remainder of the season.
Within this context, the Spurs hierarchy sought a manager with top-level experience and a commitment to attacking football.
After evaluating their options, Tottenham concluded that Tudor met their key criteria.
Tudor's experience managing top European clubs and handling high-profile players was seen as a major advantage.
His reputation for aggressive, attacking football was particularly appealing to Spurs, given the criticism of their playing style under Thomas Frank.
Tottenham also admired Tudor's ability to improve teams in the short term, as evidenced by his achievements at Lazio and Juventus.
For instance, his Lazio team remained unbeaten in the league for his first two months in charge, while his Juventus side lost only one of their first nine games under his management.
Although Tudor's tenure at Juventus ultimately ended in disappointment, his initial success, including an eight-game unbeaten streak, demonstrates his potential to make a positive impact at Tottenham.
The club has appointed Tudor as an interim manager, with the understanding that a more permanent solution will be sought after the current season.
A similar situation arose with Michael Carrick at Manchester United, where an initial temporary appointment led to an interesting dilemma when the team performed well, raising questions about the manager's long-term prospects.
During his tenure at Hajduk Split from 2013 to 2015, Tudor oversaw 70 matches, achieving an average of 1.63 points per game, and secured the Croatian Cup title in the 2012-13 season.
At PAOK, where he managed from 2015 to 2016, Tudor was in charge for 45 games, earning an average of 1.51 points per match.
His stint at Karabukspor, which lasted from 2016 to 2017, consisted of 21 matches, with an average of 1.29 points per game.
Tudor managed Galatasaray in 2017, leading the team through 34 matches and achieving a 1.79 points per game average.
In 2018, he had a brief spell at Udinese, managing four matches with an average of 1.75 points per game.
Tudor returned to Udinese in 2019 for a second stint, overseeing 21 matches with an average of 1.33 points per game.
His second tenure at Hajduk Split, which began in 2020, saw him manage 18 matches, earning an average of 1.56 points per game.
From 2021 to 2022, Tudor was at the helm of Hellas Verona, managing 36 matches with a 1.47 points per game average.
At Marseille, where he managed from 2022 to 2023, Tudor led the team through 48 matches, achieving an average of 1.83 points per game.
In 2024, he managed Lazio for 11 matches, earning an average of 1.91 points per game.
Tudor's tenure at Juventus in 2025 consisted of 24 matches, with an average of 1.58 points per game.
For the latest updates, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.
If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask, and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.
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Chris Paul, NBA Veteran, Ends Career at Age 40
Chris Paul, a renowned figure in the NBA, has declared his retirement from professional basketball at the age of 40, bringing an end to his 21-year career, shortly after parting ways with the Toronto Raptors.
Over the course of 21 years, Chris Paul's NBA career took him to seven different teams, showcasing his enduring presence in the league.
Following his release from the Toronto Raptors, NBA veteran Chris Paul has confirmed his decision to retire from professional basketball.
At 40 years old, Paul is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest point guards in the sport, with a impressive record that includes 12 NBA All-Star appearances and the 2006 Rookie of the Year award.
As one of only seven players to have played in the NBA for 21 seasons, Paul also contributed to the United States' Olympic gold medal wins in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Paul announced, "After 21 years, I've decided to step away from basketball," marking the end of an era in his career.
Paul expressed his feelings about his retirement, saying, "I'm mostly filled with joy and gratitude, and although my time as an NBA player has come to an end, basketball will always be a fundamental part of my life."
Reflecting on his time in the NBA, Paul noted, "I've spent more than half of my life playing in the league, which has spanned three decades – a fact that's still hard to put into words."
Throughout his 1,370-game career, which began with the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and concluded with a second stint at the Los Angeles Clippers, Paul averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and two steals per game, earning him the nickname 'Point God'.
In addition to playing for the Hornets, Clippers, and Raptors, Paul's career also included time with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors, although he never secured an NBA championship title.
Paul's closest attempt at a championship was in 2021, when the Phoenix Suns reached the NBA finals but ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Upon his retirement, Paul holds the second position in NBA history for both assists, with 12,552, and steals, with 2,728.
Paul had been inactive since December 1, and his retirement follows a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors earlier this month.
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Weston Tops Skeleton Field for Team GB
In the men’s skeleton event, Great Britain’s Matt Weston is currently in the lead after the third run, adopting a strategy that lets the sled take control.
Matt Weston of Team GB is currently in the lead after his third run in the men's skeleton event, where he employed a technique that lets the sled's design and momentum guide his progress.
LIVE UPDATES: Day seven of the Winter Olympics is underway, with ongoing coverage available for those looking to stay informed about the latest developments.
Please note that access to this content is restricted to users based in the United Kingdom.
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