Skeleton fans rally behind Heraskevych after disqualification over tribute helmet

Record ID: 2340104

  • Title: Skeleton fans rally behind Heraskevych after disqualification over tribute helmet
  • Date: 12th February 2026
  • Summary: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 12, 2026)(REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LEAVING SKELETON VENUE SIGNS FOR SLIDING VENUE (SOUNDBITE)(English) TRACY LIVESEY (LEFT) AND LESLEY STEWART (RIGHT) FROM KENT, UNITED KINGDOM, SAYING: TRACY LIVESEY: “I think it's a shame he was disqualified. I think I support him.” LESLEY STEWART: “I think so. There were athletes that were being remem
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  • Keywords: Olympic Games Olympics Russia Ukraine Vladyslav Heraskevych disqualified helmet skeleton war
  • Location: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY 
  • City: CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ITALY 
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Europe,Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001492112022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Most spectators leaving the sliding arena in Cortina D’ampezzo on Thursday (February 12) expressed support for Ukraine's skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych who was disqualified from the skeleton competition at the Winter Games over his "helmet of remembrance" depicting athletes killed since Russia's invasion despite a personal appeal from the IOC president.
    “If so many people in your country are dying, then it's more important than one Olympic medal,” said Isa den Ouden from the Netherlands
    But Hanz-Joerg Buff from Switzerland said the Olympics were for sports.
    “If he wants to do politics, he needs to go to the front and help his guys in Ukraine,” he said.
    The 27-year-old, who had been training in Italy with the helmet showing two dozen dead compatriots, was barred and initially told he would be stripped of his accreditation minutes before competition was due to start at the sliding venue.
    The IOC, however, later said that Heraskevych was allowed to keep his credentials and stay at the Milano Cortina Games after President Kirsty Coventry asked its Disciplinary Commission to "reconsider the withdrawal" of the athlete's accreditation.
    (Production: Christine Uyanik, Ilze Filks)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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