A Ukrainian skeleton athlete was barred from competing in the Winter Olympics just hours before his event due to a helmet that honored compatriots killed in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled that the helmet violated Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression, sparking controversy over freedom of speech and patriotism in sports.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2026/02/12/vladyslav-heraskevych-ukrainian-helmet-olympics-skeleton