Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych trains in banned helmet despite IOC ruling

Vladyslav Heraskevych trained while wearing a customized helmet the IOC has ruled cannot be used in competition; the IOC said it would speak with him again before his Olympic race the next day.

Vladyslav Heraskevych trained while wearing a customized helmet that the International Olympic Committee has said is not permitted in competition. The helmet included images related to Ukrainians killed during the war that began after the 2022 Beijing Games. The IOC cited its rule against political statements on the field of play and planned to talk with Heraskevych again before his race the next day. The IOC offered a black armband as an accommodation; Heraskevych said he was not interested. Key facts: - The IOC ruled the customized helmet could not be used in Olympic competition under rules on political statements. - Heraskevych continued to wear the helmet during training one day before his scheduled race. - The IOC planned further discussions with the athlete and proposed a black armband, which he declined. Summary: The situation centers on the IOC's application of its rules on political statements and the athlete's choice to wear the helmet during training. The IOC's planned conversation with Heraskevych and his scheduled race the following day are the immediate next steps. Undetermined at this time.