I will not betray them – Ukrainian vows to compete in banned war victim helmetBy Anita Chambers, Press AssociationUkrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych says he will wear a helmet featuring pictures of people who have been killed in the war with Russia in his Winter Olympics competition. “I don’t want to downsize any conflicts in the world, but conflicts, we can measure them. “And to say it in so casual (a) manner, it’s very rude, I would say, towards Ukrainians.”Vladyslav Heraskevych hit out at the IOC (Andrew Milligan/PA). He said: “A medal is always a great achievement for athletes – an Olympic medal is huge. Vladyslav Heraskevych says an Olympic medal has lost its value to him given the war in his country (Andrew Milligan/PA).

Source: Irish Independent February 12, 2026 23:42 UTC