Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, disqualified from the 2026 Winter Olympics, has received a donation equivalent to Olympic gold medal prize money.
Just before Heraskevych was meant to compete in the skeleton race on February 12 at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the 27-year-old was prohibited from participating.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) explained that his disqualification was due to the ‘helmet of memory’ he intended to wear during the competition.
The helmet features images of 24 athletes and children who lost their lives due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The IOC had previously forbidden Heraskevych from wearing the helmet, but he decided to honor the fallen athletes by continuing to use it during practice.
On the race day, the IOC barred Heraskevych from competing, citing non-compliance with its ‘Guidelines on Athlete Expression’.
Despite this setback, Heraskevych expressed that ‘the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could.’ Subsequently, he received a remarkable $200,000 donation.
The donation reportedly came from Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, a prominent businessman.
Ranked as Ukraine’s wealthiest individual by Forbes, Akhmetov owns and presides over the Ukrainian football club FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Akhmetov stated, as noted in The Independent: “Vlad Heraskevych was denied the opportunity to compete for victory at the Olympic Games, yet he returns to Ukraine a true winner.
“The respect and pride he has earned among Ukrainians through his actions are the highest reward.”
The businessman emphasized that he wishes for Heraskevych to have ample energy and resources to continue both his sporting career and advocacy for freedom and remembrance of those who sacrificed for Ukraine.
The IOC released a statement clarifying their eagerness for Heraskevych to compete, but after discussions to respectfully address his desire to commemorate fellow athletes who died following Russia’s invasion, a compromise was not reached.
“The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it,” the IOC added.
A statement from Akhmetov’s foundation indicated that the funds would be directed to Heraskevych’s foundation.
The foundation’s goal is to provide the athlete and his coaching staff with the necessary resources to continue competing and advocating for Ukraine on the global stage.