"NO TO WAR" — the powerful message of one Ukrainian athlete at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

A Ukrainian skeleton athlete held up a sign reading "No war in Ukraine" in front of the cameras after finishing his competition on Friday at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Vladyslav Heraskevych's message was printed on blue and yellow paper, like the colors of his country's flag. He did not show the image again after his second attempt of the night, which was his fourth and last chance at the winter games.

"It is my position, like any normal person. I don't want a war," Heraskevych said at a press conference at the end of his competition. "I want peace in my country and I want peace in the world. That's my opinion and that's why I fight for that, I fight for peace."

The Ukrainian said that Russia sent troops near Ukraine and could be planning an invasion of its neighboring country and former member of the Soviet Union.

Shortly after the race, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the athlete would face no repercussions even though the world sporting organization does not support political messages. Many feared that Heraskevych's statement could be considered a violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. This measure states that "no political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda of any kind is permitted in Olympic venues, sites and areas."