Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Heraskevych and accused the IOC of appeasing Russia with its decision. “We are proud of Vladyslav and of what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal,” Zelenskyy said.

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.

The first week in Milan-Cortina was supposed to be about clean edges, fast tracks, and perfect landings, but the story of these Winter Games is already far messier. From the sliding track in Cortina to the jump hills of Predazzo and the cauldron at San Siro,

Ukraine’s Winter Olympics flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych says that his teammates could stage protests at the Milan Cortina Games over the decision to allow neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in Italy.

Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak was exhausted last summer as he trained for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. Drained, anxious and often unable to sleep, the 21-year-old could not stop thinking about his family back in Ukraine: His father is in the army on the front lines and his mother is in Kyiv,

Who is sitting atop the leaderboard for Olympic medals won at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics? Follow for live updates.

Vladyslav Heraskevych has been barred from the skeleton for his tribute to his fallen compatriots