CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — A Ukrainian skeleton athlete has been kicked out of the Milano Cortina Olympics for insisting on wearing a helmet honoring fellow athletes killed in Russia's unprovoked invasion of his country.
The International Olympic Committee announced the decision on Thursday, Feb. 12, after Vladyslav Heraskevych met with IOC president Kirsty Coventry before the start of the skeleton competition.
"The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete," the IOC said in a statement. "This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it."
Heraskevych said he will appeal the IOC's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"It’s hard to say or put into words. It’s emptiness,” he told reporters outside the sliding center.
