Just over an hour before the start of the competition, Heraskevych had a private conversation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry.
She had sought out Vladyslav Heraskevych in the competition area, where the two of them had a discussion about what has become one of the major news events of the Games - the helmet that Heraskevych chose to wear. The helmet bears images of Ukrainian athletes and coaches who were killed in the war against Russia.
The IOC's announcement was that competing with the helmet would be prohibited. Heraskevych has now appealed the decision to CAS, which has promised to handle the matter "expeditiously".
“Worth more than any medal”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defends Heraskevych.
"Sport should not mean oblivion, and the Olympic movement should contribute to stopping war – not play into the hands of aggressors. Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee's decision shows the opposite," he writes on X and continues:
"I thank our athlete for his clear stance."
The president calls the skeleton racer brave:
"We are proud of Vladyslav and what he did. Showing courage is worth more than any medal."
Used the helmet
Heraskevych has used the helmet in connection with his training runs, but the IOC has been clear that this would not be allowed in competition. However, Heraskevych chose to stand by his stance just as he did at the Beijing Winter Olympics four years ago, when he had written the text: "No war in Ukraine" on his helmet before his final run.
That time the IOC chose to look the other way, but now news came that Heraskevych would be disqualified from Thursday's competition.
According to Norwegian NTB, Kirsty Coventry cried when she was interviewed by journalists.
"Unfortunately, we haven't come to an agreement. It's been an emotional morning," she said.
Several meetings
The IOC's position has been that the helmet violates rules regarding political statements in connection with the Olympics, something that Heraskevych has disputed in interviews.
"We really wanted him to compete and for him to have this moment. It was really important," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams on Wednesday.
