peace-for-ukraine/” title=”Winter Olympics 2022: "I don't want war…" a skeleton athlete calls for peace for Ukraine“>Heraskevych showed a message written in English after completing the third of four races in the ice trough in Yenching. “This is my attitude. Like all normal people, I do not want war. I want peace in my country, I want peace in the world. This is my attitude I am fighting for. I am fighting for peace,” Heraskevych told reporters, who finished 18th in the race.
With a gesture, the skeletonist came across the current tense international situation in his region. Russia has amassed some 100,000 troops on its territory near the Ukrainian border, raising fears among Western nations that it is preparing to invade a neighboring country. Moscow denies it.
“It is very nervous in Ukraine now,” Heraskevych said. “The very news about weapons, about the armies around Ukraine. That’s not right. Not in the 21st century. That’s why I decided before the Olympics to show my position to the world,” he said.
His gesture could be seen as a violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political, religious or racial propaganda during Olympic competitions. Shortly after the race, the International Olympic Committee said that his action would have no consequences for Heraskevych. “It was a general call for peace. The case is closed for us,” IOC officials said.
