UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych spoke at a United Nations panel on Thursday explaining why he refused to wear a different helmet during the Milan-Cortina Olympics after officials barred his tribute to victims of Russia's invasion. The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation said his insistence on wearing the helmet was "inconsistent with the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression" and therefore he would not be allowed to compete at the Games.

Heraskevych spoke at the opening ceremony of Change the World Model United Nations, an educational simulation for thousands of students. "I think it's important that we use this stage and talk about important things," he said. "Sometimes it feels like, in all these hours of training, we really forgot about the overall mission of sports. It is not only about the medals, but it's also about values that we represent."

Heraskevych wore the helmet in training, but the International Olympic Committee asked him to wear a different helmet in races. The organization offered concessions, including wearing a black armband in remembrance of those killed in the war or allowing him to display the helmet once he was off the ice.

The names of the Ukrainian athletes that were part of Heraskevych's helmet were read aloud during the U.N. session Thursday, drawing an ovation. Heraskevych wore a vyshyvanka, a traditional embroidered shirt, on stage.

"We can save lives with sport," he said. "Sport gave people some hope."

Heraskevych's season ended when he was not allowed to compete in the Olympics. He intends to compete in at least some World Cup races in the coming season, including one at the Cortina d'Ampezzo track that he was kept from racing on last month.

Heraskevych and his father are leading a foundation for people and groups in Ukraine. One of the foundation's top priorities is providing generators, given that much of Ukraine is dealing with blackouts and an unreliable power grid.