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Germany's Merz: disqualified Olympian's helmet symbolizes Ukraine's courage

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 23, 2026

1 min read

Last updated: February 23, 2026

Germany's Merz: disqualified Olympian's helmet symbolizes Ukraine's courage - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Tags:global economy

Quick Summary

Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised a Ukrainian Olympian’s memorial helmet as a symbol of courage. Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified on Feb 12 for breaching neutrality rules; CAS rejected his appeal on Feb 13.

Germany's Merz: Disqualified athlete's helmet shows Ukraine's courage

Merz's Remarks on Helmet Symbolism and Ukraine

BERLIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Germany's chancellor on Monday weighed in on the disqualification of a Ukrainian athlete from the Milano Cortina Olympics, saying the helmet that prompted his dismissal was a symbol of the nation's bravery.

Statement on Courage and Suffering

"This helmet is a symbol of the Ukrainian people's resistance and its unwavering courage. It is also a symbol of the suffering caused by Russia's barbaric war of aggression," Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a speech in Berlin.

International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Ruling

Reason for Disqualification

Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from the Olympic programme on February 12, when the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation jury ruled that the depiction of athletes killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 breached rules on political neutrality.

Appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

The Court of Arbitration for Sport later dismissed Heraskevych's appeal. Merz did not specifically comment on the disqualification.

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke, editing by Linda Pasquini)

Key Takeaways

•German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called a disqualified Ukrainian Olympian’s helmet a symbol of courage in a Berlin speech on Feb 23, 2026.
•Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from the Olympic program on Feb 12, 2026 for breaching neutrality rules.
•The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s jury and IOC expression guidelines were cited in the disqualification.
•CAS dismissed Heraskevych’s appeal on Feb 13, 2026, upholding limits on field‑of‑play expressions.
•Merz did not address the ruling directly but highlighted Ukraine’s resistance and suffering under Russia’s war.

Frequently Asked Questions about Germany's Merz: disqualified Olympian's helmet symbolizes Ukraine's courage

1What is the main topic?

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz described a disqualified Ukrainian Olympian’s memorial helmet as a symbol of courage, amid Olympic neutrality rules and a failed appeal.

2Why was the athlete disqualified?

Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed on Feb 12, 2026, after officials ruled his helmet—depicting athletes killed since 2022—breached IOC neutrality guidelines and IBSF rules.

3What happened to the appeal?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Heraskevych’s appeal on Feb 13, 2026, affirming limits on expressions on the field of play during competition.

Merz's Remarks on Helmet Symbolism and Ukraine

Statement on Courage and Suffering

International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Ruling

Reason for Disqualification

Appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

The Court of Arbitration for Sport later dismissed Heraskevych's appeal. Merz did not specifically comment on the disqualification.

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Andreas Rinke, editing by Linda Pasquini)

Key Takeaways

•German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called a disqualified Ukrainian Olympian’s helmet a symbol of courage in a Berlin speech on Feb 23, 2026.

•Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed from the Olympic program on Feb 12, 2026 for breaching neutrality rules.

•The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s jury and IOC expression guidelines were cited in the disqualification.

•CAS dismissed Heraskevych’s appeal on Feb 13, 2026, upholding limits on field‑of‑play expressions.

•Merz did not address the ruling directly but highlighted Ukraine’s resistance and suffering under Russia’s war.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the main topic?

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz described a disqualified Ukrainian Olympian’s memorial helmet as a symbol of courage, amid Olympic neutrality rules and a failed appeal.

2Why was the athlete disqualified?

Vladyslav Heraskevych was removed on Feb 12, 2026, after officials ruled his helmet—depicting athletes killed since 2022—breached IOC neutrality guidelines and IBSF rules.

3What happened to the appeal?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Heraskevych’s appeal on Feb 13, 2026, affirming limits on expressions on the field of play during competition.