Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing in the Olympic skeleton event over a helmet dispute, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said. Heraskevych wanted to wear a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes who died in the war with Russia in the competition which starts later Thursday.

The Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladislav Heraskevych displays the memorial helmet that resulted in his ban.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych pushed at the limits of the International Olympic Committee's rules on freedom of expression, and the global sports body pushed back.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "proud" of Vladylsav Heraskevych, adding, "Having courage is worth more than any medal."

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not happy with the International Olympics Committee. A Ukrainian athlete has been barred from competing due to a "controversial" helmet. The athlete was disqualified for wearing a helmet to honor victims in the war with Russia.

IOC disqualifies Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for helmet honoring war dead, sparking criticism from President Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics in Italy for wearing a helmet that paid tribute to athletes and coaches killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, causing an emotional reaction from both him and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.