In brief
The disqualification of Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych has ignited significant controversy during the Winter Olympics after he showcased a helmet bearing the names and faces of athletes lost to the war with Russia. This act of remembrance resulted in his ban from the competition, leading to discussions about the intersection of sports, patriotism, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych's disqualification from the Winter Olympics over his helmet depicting fellow athletes killed since Russia's full-scale invasion is the Games' biggest controversy so far.
Heraskevych was barred from the men's skeleton in Milan-Cortina earlier this week after he refused to stop wearing it and on Friday his appeal was denied.
He has said those featured on his helmet include teenage weightlifter Alina Perehudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, and ice hockey player Oleksiy Lohinov, adding that some of them were his friends.
More than 20 athletes appear on the helmet in total - here's more on each of them.
This helmet's imagery has transitioned from mere sportswear to a powerful symbol of remembrance and the grim reality of the ongoing conflict affecting Ukrainian athletes and their country.
