IOC to take no action against sign-waving skeleton racer as Ukrainian officials call for peace

The Ukrainian Olympic team has followed the lead of skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych in calling for peace. 

Heraskevych held up a sign with a Ukrainian flag and the message «No War in Ukraine» after completing a run in the skeleton competition on Friday at the Beijing Games.

The message came against the backdrop of a Russian military build-up near the country's border with Ukraine.

«The Olympic Team of Ukraine … expresses a unanimous call for peace together with [our] native country,» the Ukrainian Olympic Committee wrote on social media.

«Being thousands of kilometres away from the Motherland, mentally we are with our families and friends.»

The statement doesn't mention Russia or the military situation.

The International Olympic Committee bans most protest gestures at the Games but is not planning any action against Heraskevych.

That is because, "'No war' is a message we can all relate to," said Christophe Dubi, the executive director of the Olympic Games.

That does not mean the IOC wants other athletes to join in, however.

«We all want peace, clearly,» said IOC spokesman Mark Adams.

«Athletes themselves have agreed that the field of play and the podium is not the place for any kind of statement because we need to remain politically neutral.

After eight years toiling on the World Cup circuit without a medal, a change in mindset helps Narracott become Australia's first sliding medallist.

»The message was understood. [The sign] wasn't repeated and I think we can move on."

No Ukrainian athletes have followed Heraskevych's lead by protesting in competition.

«In Ukraine, it's really nervous now,» Heraskevych said.

«A lot of news about guns, about weapons, what's to come in Ukraine, about some armies around Ukraine. It's not OK. Not in