Ukrainian Olympian flashes 'No War in Ukraine' sign after competing

A Ukrainian skeleton athlete flashed a small sign that read "No War in Ukraine" to the cameras as he finished a run at the Beijing Olympics on Friday night, a plea for peace at a time of rising tensions between his country and Russia.

Vladyslav Heraskevych's sign was printed on a blue-and-yellow piece of paper, matching the colours of his country's flag. He did not display the message after his second run of the night, which was his fourth and final run of the Olympics.

"It's my position. Like any normal people, I don't want war," Heraskevych said after he finished competing. "I want peace in my country, and I want peace in the world. It's my position, so I fight for that. I fight for peace."

"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 the 21st century. So I decided, before the Olympics, that I would show my position to the world."

Shortly after the race, the International Olympic Committee said there would be no repercussions for the athlete. There had been a question of whether the body might consider Heraskevych's act a violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. That rule, in part, states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

WATCH | Heraskevych makes a statement:

"This was a general call for peace. For the IOC the matter is closed," the Games' governing body said Friday night.

Heraskevych earlier said he was not concerned about any possible repercussions.

"I hope the Olympics will [support] me in this situation. Nobody wants war," said Heraskevych, who was not a medal contender. "I hope