Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych used his moment in the Olympic spotlight to make a gesture of peace regarding the tense situation on Ukraine's border with Russia.
After completing his third run in the men's skeleton event at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre on Friday night the 23-year-old briefly flashed a paper sign reading "NO WAR IN UKRAINE", he said speaking to reporters after the race.
Moscow denies plans to invade, but says it could take unspecified "military-technical" action unless a series of its demands are met, including promises from NATO never to admit Ukraine and to withdraw forces from Eastern Europe."At home in Ukraine it's really nervous now, a lot of news about guns, about weapons, about some armies around Ukraine so it's not OK. Not in the 21st century.
"I think Olympics also fight for peace. So for united countries, so I hope the Olympics will be with me in this situation, so nobody wants war." The IOC told Reuters it had spoken to Heraskevych and that since his message was a general call for peace: "For the IOC the matter is closed."
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