Sarah Mulkerins

It's been ongoing since Monday here in Italy, when on this first, this initial training run, the Ukrainian skeleton and athlete wore the helmet.

It features images of athletes killed during Russia's invasion of his home country.

The IOC have been in conversation with Hereskovich and his father Mikhailov since then about reaching a compromise to allow him to raise...

because the IOC says the helmet breaks its rules regarding political statements in the field of competition.

He was told he couldn't wear it, but he could wear a black armband instead.

However, the athlete did not agree with this, insisting that his tribute is no different to those that some other athletes have displayed during these games, such as figure skater Maxim Nomov.

He held up a photo of his parents, who were among...

67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington, D.C.

just over a year ago.

And he held that up while waiting for a score to be announced earlier this week.

Now, this morning, the IOC president, Kirstie Coventry, met Oreskevich for more conversations with the athlete just prior to his event.

But no agreement could be reached.

And so the skeleton racer was banned.

He could not compete.

Responding to this on social media he wrote that this is the price of our dignity and he also spoke to the BBC about the situation.