Winter Olympics 2026: Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych reportedly given $200,000 gift after IOC DQ'd skeleton racer
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from competition last week because he insisted upon wearing a commemorative helmet, which honors more than 20 athletes and coaches from Ukraine who died during Russia's invasion, and then saw his appeal to gain reinstatement denied.
Despite the International Olympic Committee's controversial decision, he's been revered by his nation.
And on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, Heraskevych, 27, received a gift of at least $200,000 to help him continue his skeleton career and keep advocating for his home country.
That generous lump sum reportedly came from Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov, who pulled from his charity foundation to make a contribution that is equal to what Ukraine's gold medalists earn.
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/article/winter-olympics-2026-ukraines-vladyslav-heraskevych-reportedly-given-200000-gift-after-ioc-dqd-skeleton-racer-204329209.html