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US Olympic skeleton competitor Austin Florian caught the attention of social media on Wednesday for the incredible design that was on his equipment.
Florian raced in the heat with his helmet stylized as the cartoon character Venom. Olympic fans on social media were mesmerized by the artwork.
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Austin Florian of the United States starts a 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 later in the Games. He moved up to 13th in the second race, posting a time of 1:53.54. The third heat begins later on Friday.
Florian’s teammate, Dan Barefoot, finished 19th despite carrying a significant shoulder injury.
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Austin Florian of the United States starts for a men’s skeleton practice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
The entire event was overshadowed by controversy that took place early Thursday. Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Olympics when he refused to wear a helmet that allegedly did not make a political statement. His helmet highlighted the Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have fallen victim to the country’s war with Russia.
Florian said he was aware of the controversy as Heraskevych was due to compete before him.
“We’re generally pretty focused on what we’re doing. We’re aware of that,” Florian said. “Everybody’s aware of that, obviously. And we try not to let it affect us, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and he’s going to do what he’s going to do at the end of the day. And that’s a bummer.”
Austin Florian of the United States arrives at the finish line during a men’s skeleton practice 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.
