Heraskeyvych’s father and coach reacts emotionally to skeleton racer’s disqualification
Mykhailo Heraskevych, the father and coach of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, reacted with despair to his son’s disqualification over the use of a “memory helmet” at the 2026 Olympic Games.
Photos capturing Mykhailo Heraskevych’s emotional response were published by Reuters.
The images were reportedly taken after the athlete’s meeting with International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.
The incident has sparked widespread reaction among Ukrainian and European sports officials. In particular, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, criticised the IOC’s decision, calling it “an unjustified suppression of the voice of a country under attack.”
As a result of the disqualification, Vladyslav Heraskevych was unable to take part in the first heat of the competition at the 2026 Olympics.
During training runs at the Games in Italy, Heraskevych appeared at the start wearing a symbolic helmet featuring images of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes who were killed by Russia.
Earlier, the Ukrainian skeleton racer found himself at the centre of a major controversy at the 2026 Olympics due to his intention to honour his fallen compatriots.
It is worth noting that eight sets of medals will be contested on the sixth day of the 2026 Olympic Games.
Previously, a Ukrainian short track skater was also banned from wearing a helmet featuring a quote by Lina Kostenko at the Olympics.
