IOC allows Ukrainian athlete to wear black armband for war dead at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday (Feb 10, 2026) that a Ukrainian skeleton racer can wear a black armband at the Winter Olympics but confirmed that it has banned his helmet, which features Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has defended his right to wear Vladislav Herskevich’s helmet, which bears images of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, at the Milan-Cortina Games.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said on Tuesday (Feb 10, 2026) that the helmet violated guidelines on political symbols at the Olympics but “makes an exception to the guidelines that allow the wearing of a black armband during competition to make that commemoration”.

Gestures of a political nature during competition are banned from 2021 under Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, although athletes are allowed to express their views in press conferences and on social media.

Mr Adams added: “I think what we’ve tried to do is address their wishes with compassion and understanding.

“Since he is leaving the competition, we will not stop expressing himself in the mixed zone (where the contestants talk to journalists) and at press conferences elsewhere and we think this is a good compromise under the circumstances.”

Mr Heraskevich, who was one of Ukraine’s two flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Games, said the decision to ban his helmet “breaks my heart”.

Mr. Herskevich was thanked for “reminding the world of the cost of our struggle.” Zelensky thanked.

“This fact should not be inconvenient, inappropriate or called a ‘political show at a sports event’. It will remind the whole world of what modern Russia is,” the president added.

Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvy Bidny said AFP Russia has killed “more than 650 athletes and coaches” this month after invading Ukraine in 2022, according to the latest figures.