Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been excluded from the 2026 Olympic Games after refusing to change his helmet, which features images of fallen Ukrainian athletes. He plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen supported Ukrainian Olympians with the "Memory is not a violation" flashmob. This is a response to the IOC's ban on using the "memory helmet" at the 2026 Olympics.
Vladyslav Heraskevych does not accept the IOC's conditions and stated that he will compete at the 2026 Olympics exclusively in this helmet. The NOC of Ukraine expressed support for the Ukrainian athlete and stated that it would defend the right of Ukrainian athletes to honor the memory of fallen colleagues with dignity.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee to allow Ukrainian athletes to use symbols honoring those killed by Russian aggression. This came after Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was banned from competing in a helmet featuring portraits of deceased athletes.
Ukrainian figure skater Kyrylo Marsak made his debut at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, scoring 86. 89 points in the short program. He dedicated his performance to his father, who is defending Ukraine, and advanced to the free skate.
Ukrainian luger Olena Smaga supported skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, whom the IOC banned from competing in a helmet with photos of deceased athletes. She showed the inscription on her hand "Memory is not a violation" during the competition.
The organizers of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina have resolved a technical problem with medals that were cracking, breaking, or coming apart. The cause was a safety-designed lanyard breakaway mechanism, which has now been adjusted.
The Ukrainian athlete was allowed to honor the memory of fallen athletes, but was not allowed to use a "helmet of memory" for this purpose.
Italian snowboarder Roland Fischnaller competed at the 2026 Olympics in a helmet with a Russian tricolor, and the IOC did not take disciplinary action. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was forbidden to compete in a helmet with portraits of deceased athletes.
Yelyzaveta Sydorko set a national record in the 500-meter distance at the 2026 Olympics, completing it in 43. 337 seconds. Despite the high result, she could not advance to the quarterfinals, finishing fourth in her heat.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the people who booed US Vice President J. D. Vance at the Winter Olympics showed "European pride." This occurred after a series of critical remarks about Europe from American officials.
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine expresses hope for a fair, objective, and impartial decision from the International Olympic Committee.
Giorgia Meloni supported law enforcement after clashes with protesters near the venue of the Winter Olympic Games. She condemned the actions of "enemies of Italy" who organize demonstrations and cut railway cables.
In Milan, thousands of protesters demonstrated against the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, leading to clashes with police. Demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the environmental consequences and rising housing prices.
The first medals of the XXV Winter Olympic Games have been awarded in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Franjo von Allmen from Switzerland and Frida Karlsson from Sweden won gold in their disciplines.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games began on February 6 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. The ceremony was filled with symbolic moments: from artistic performances reflecting Italian culture to large-scale light effects that emphasized the unity of all participating countries of the Olympics.
The Ukrainian national team solemnly marched in the parade of teams under the blue and yellow flag at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. The Ukrainian delegation received a warm reaction from the audience.
The opening ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games has begun in Milan and Cortina. The main highlight was the installation of five Olympic rings "flying" in the air, symbolizing the holding of the Games in five different locations in Italy.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games officially began in Milan and will last until February 22. The flag of Ukraine at the opening ceremony will be carried by speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko and skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych.
The opening ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games has begun in Italy at the San Siro stadium in Milan. The Games will take place from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, where approximately 2,900 athletes will compete in 16 disciplines.
Pope Leo XIV called for an Olympic truce at the start of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. He emphasized the values of fair competition and called sport "an expression of our humanity."
The NOC of Ukraine revealed details of the national team's stay at the 2026 Olympic Games. All 46 Ukrainian athletes have been accredited on time and admitted to the competitions; there are no problems with logistics or injuries.
In Milan, approximately 70 shower cabins were found damaged in the Olympic Village, which is preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Investigators suspect deliberate sabotage.
During curling matches in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the lights went out at the Olympic Stadium, delaying the game for five minutes. The organizers did not name the cause of the incident.
Italian special services prevented cyberattacks on the MFA websites and facilities related to the Winter Olympic Games. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani linked the attackers to Russia.
The International Olympic Committee is exploring the possibility of holding the Winter Olympic Games in January and the Paralympic Games in February. This is due to the shrinking number of locations with stable snow cover in March.
The NOC of Ukraine showed the living conditions of Olympians in the Cortina village, where the Ukrainian national team has already settled. Luge athlete Nazariy Kachmar shared his impressions of the comfortable conditions and atmosphere.
Ukraine has named skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych and 21-year-old short track speed skater Yelyzaveta Sydorko as flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Sydorko will be the youngest Ukrainian short track speed skater at the Olympics.
Four days before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Ukrainian athletes began moving into the Olympic villages in Northern Italy. The organizers have created several separate villages near the competition venues.
The UN and the organizers of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina have called for a seven-week pause in all global conflicts a week before the start of the competitions. This break covers the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, as well as an additional week before and after each event.
