Skeleton: racing helmet banned?
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that the Ukrainian skeleton racer, Vladyslav Heraskevych, has claimed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned his helmet, which features images of people killed in the war with Russia, many of whom were athletes.
Heraskevych, who is 26 years old, wore this helmet during a Winter Olympics training session in Cortina.
The IOC has not officially confirmed this ban, although, according to Heraskevych, an IOC representative has been to the athletes’ village to inform him that the helmet does not comply with Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter. Also, the IOC has contacted the Ukraine Olympic Committee about the helmet.
The Rule provides that:
"No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
Heraskevych reportedly has remarked that he intends to respect the Rule, whilst raising awareness, at the Winter Games, about the war in Ukraine.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
