The Ukrainian Olympic team has followed the lead of skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych in calling for peace amid fears of a Russian invasion.
Heraskevych held up a sign with a Ukrainian flag and the message "No War in Ukraine" after completing a run in the skeleton competition at the Beijing Games on Friday.
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 did not 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.
"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 the 21st century.
"I hope it helps … make peace in our country."
Wires/ABC
