Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych will miss the Winter Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) rejected his appeal to wear a helmet showing images of athletes killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Heraskevych, 26, asked Cas to reinstate his place after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned him before the first heat of the men's skeleton event on Thursday. He had worn the helmet during training sessions. IOC president Kirsty Coventry personally tried to convince him at Cortina sliding track not to wear the helmet in competition. But Heraskevych refused, believing his helmet was allowed. Cas held an emergency meeting on Friday and said they are "fully sympathetic" to his case and his right to "freedom of expression," but ruled such symbols are not allowed "on the field of play." The IOC said Heraskevych may display his helmet in mixed zones, press conferences, and on social media, but emphasized "the field of play is sacrosanct." The 2026 Winter Olympics run from February 6 to 22 in Milan-Cortina. More updates will follow.