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American Olympic skeleton competitor Austin Florian drew attention on social media this Wednesday for the incredible design of his equipment.
Florian ran in the heat with his helmet stylized as the comic book character Venom. Olympic fans on social media were mesmerized by the artwork.
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Austin Florian of the United States starts the men’s skeleton race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
He finished 14th in the first heat with a time of 56.95. It was the best start in the field and boded well for the mixed team event later in the Games. He moved up to 13th place in the second race, clocking a time of 1:53.54. The third series will begin later on Friday.
Florian’s teammate Dan Barefoot was in 19th place despite suffering a significant shoulder injury.
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Austin Florian of the United States begins a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
The entire event was overshadowed by the controversy that occurred early Thursday morning. Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Olympics because he refused to wear a helmet that was supposedly not making a political statement. His helmet depicted Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been victims of the country’s war with Russia.
Florian said he was aware of the controversy since Heraskevych would compete before him.
“Overall, we’re pretty focused on what we’re doing. We’re aware of that,” Florian said. “Everyone is aware of it, obviously. And we try not to let it affect us, but you have to do what you have to do and he will do what he will do at the end of the day. And it’s a bummer.”
Austin Florian of the United States reaches the finish line during a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Great Britain’s Matt Weston led the field after the first two heats.
