In brief
Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet that memorializes athletes killed during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His appeal was denied after he sustained his decision to compete with the helmet, which features over 20 names, including prominent figures from various sports. The ban has sparked widespread controversy and raised questions about the role of athletes amid war.
The war dead pictured on banned Ukrainian athlete's helmet
Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion is the Games' biggest controversy so far.
Heraskevych was barred from the men's skeleton in Milan-Cortina earlier this week after he refused to stop wearing it and on Friday his appeal was denied.
He has said those featured on his helmet include teenage weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Lohinov, adding that some of them were his friends.
More than 20 athletes appear on the helmet in total - a poignant reminder of the price paid by the sports community amid the ongoing conflict.
