Throughout training sessions this week, the defiant athlete wore the distinctive headgear featuring images of Ukrainians who have lost their lives since the Russian invasion began in 2022.

Among the portraits displayed on the helmet were faces of former sportsmen alongside children who perished during the four years of conflict that followed Moscow’s military action.

Heraskevych had made clear his intention to wear the same equipment during official competition, not merely in practice runs.

The International Olympic Committee had implored him to comply with regulations prohibiting political statements within the field of play, suggesting he could pay tribute to fallen countrymen before and after competing instead.

Officials offered what they considered a reasonable alternative, permitting the Ukrainian to don a black armband as a means of commemoration during the actual event.

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This compromise emerged from intensive showdown discussions held with Heraskevych and his team in Cortina.

The IOC confirmed that “multiple exchanges and in-person meetings” took place between the athlete and Olympics President Kirsty Coventry, with their final conversation occurring on Thursday morning itself.

Despite these extensive efforts to find common ground, the governing body announced just before the first run that the Ukrainian would not be participating.

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The IOC maintained throughout negotiations that they were “very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete” and had exhausted diplomatic avenues before reaching their ultimate decision regarding his Olympic participation.

The governing body stated they had “decided with regret to withdraw his accreditation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games” following the breakdown in negotiations.

Their decision to remove the Ukrainian athlete received backing from both the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and the Winter Olympic Federations, according to the IOC’s official statement.

The expulsion marks a dramatic conclusion to days of tension between Olympic authorities and the Ukrainian camp over what constitutes acceptable commemoration during competition.

Heraskevych’s removal means he will play no further part in these Winter Games despite having been selected to lead his nation’s delegation at the opening festivities.

Speaking earlier this week, Heraskevych slammed the IOC and accused them of ‘betrayal’.

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“A decision that simply breaks my heart,” Heraskevych wrote on Instagram.

“The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honoured on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again.”

He also revealed that Olympic officials justified the prohibition by invoking rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits “any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” across all Olympic sites and venues.

And the Ukrainian also expressed frustration at what he perceives as inconsistent application of the rules, stating: “Despite precedents in modern times and in the past when the IOC allowed such tributes, this time they decided to set special rules just for Ukraine.”