MILAN (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych pushed at the limits of the International Olympic Committee's rules on freedom of expression, and the global sports body pushed back. That created an emotional and historic moment of Winter Games lore.

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a skeleton athlete for Team Ukraine, was disqualified after refusing to change helmets at the Milan Cortina Games.

The Ukrainian flag wrapped around her shoulders and its colors painted on her left cheek, Olha Scherhyna stood near the top of the Cortina Curling Center and pointed her phone at the big board announcing the start list for the men’s skeleton.

Following are political incidents or protests that have led to the disqualification of athletes from the Olympic Games:

During the snowboarding cross racing event at the Winter Olympics, Nathan Pare was disqualified for making contact with a racer.

Nathan Pare’s first-place finish in the men’s snowboard cross was short-lived. The 21-year-old American was disqualified from Thursday’s quarterfinal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics after making contact with Spain’s Lucas Eguibar on a bend as he picked up speed to move from fourth to third.