The Ukrainian luge relay team showed solidarity with skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, barred from competing for wearing a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the conflict with Russia.

Skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych late on Monday said he had returned to Ukraine after being excluded from the Olympic competitions. In a video posted on X, the 27-year-old appeared to record himself in darkness in central Kiev.

The Ukrainian skeleton racer who was disqualified from the Milan Cortina Olympics was given a gift of more than $200,000 on Tuesday to help him keep competing and advocating for his country.

The topic has become a debate during the 2026 Milan Cortina Games amid the conflicts involving Russia and Israel.

Ukraine said Wednesday that its officials will not attend the Winter Paralympics next month over the decision by organizers to allow a handful of Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their

Vladyslav Heraskevych's "helmet of remembrance" was banned by the IOC, with the Ukrainian losing a subsequent appeal to CAS.

MILAN (AP) — Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak wrapped up his Olympics with a disappointing men's free skate Friday night, then had to endure waiting for his score while Russian athlete Petr Gumennik sat in the leader's chair about 10 feet away from him.

Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will not competeafter refusing a last-minute plea from the IOC to use a helmet other than the one that honors more than 20 of his country's athletes and coaches killed in the war with Russia.

Vladysav Heraskevych, the Ukrainian skeleton racer disqualified from over his remembrance helmet, has received his country's Order of Freedom.