Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych came to the Olympics with a helmet designed by artist Iryna Prots that depicted portraits of 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s war with Ukraine. It’s no surprise that a Ukrainian Olympic athlete would use his global platform to make a powerful statement (Russia Matters, 2026). This intersectionality between politics and the Olympic games doesn’t always manifest in an outward political demonstration. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. Ukrainian star disqualified from Winter Olympics over helmet honoring war dead.

Source: New York Times February 17, 2026 23:28 UTC