sports

Ukraine skeleton racer gifted $200,000 after Olympic ban

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych received $200,000 from Shakhtar Donetsk owner after being banned from Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet honoring fallen athletes.

The 27-year-old was disqualified by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation for breaching rules on athletes' expression. His helmet featured imagery of Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia's 2022 invasion.

The donation from the football club owner equals the prize money Ukraine awards to gold medalists, the club announced Tuesday.