Olympics: Austin Florian’s helmet goes viral

U.S. Olympic skeleton competitor Austin Florian gained attention on social media Wednesday for his incredible gear design.

Florian ran in the heat with his helmet stylized like the comic book character Venom. Olympic fans on social media were fascinated by the artwork.

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He finished 14th in the first heat with a time of 56.95. It was the best start on the field and boded well for the mixed team event later in the Games. He moved up to 13th in the second run, clocking 1:53.54. The third round is scheduled to begin later Friday.

Florian’s teammate, Dan Barefoot, was 19th despite 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, February 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

The entire event was overshadowed by controversy early Thursday. Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Olympics because he refused to wear a helmet that was not meant to make a political statement. His helmet represented Ukrainian athletes and coaches who were victims of the country’s war with Russia.

Florian said he was aware of the controversy since Heraskevych was scheduled to compete before him.

“We are generally quite focused on what we do. We are aware of that,” Florian said. “Everyone is obviously aware of it. And we try not to let it affect us, but you have to do what you have to do and he’s going to do what he’s going to do at the end of the day. And that’s disappointing.”

American Austin Florian arrives at the finish during a men’s skeleton training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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Briton Matt Weston led the field after the first two rounds.