A week since the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, he received his first protest today (Friday), when Skelton athlete Vladislav Herskiewicz raised a small sign on camera that read "No to the war in Ukraine" when he finished his competition at the Games.
Hershkevich, who represents Ukraine, printed on a piece of blue-yellow paper that matched the colors of his country's flag.
He made the announcement after his second assignment tonight, which was also his fourth and final assignment at the Olympics.
"That's my position. Like any normal person, I do not want a war," Herskevich said after finishing the competition.
"I want peace in my country, and I want peace in the world. That is my position, so I am fighting for it. I am fighting for peace."
The gesture came when Russia had amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine, raising fears in the West that Moscow was planning an invasion.
Russia insists it has no such thoughts, but does not want Ukraine and other former Soviet states to be allowed to join NATO.
"In Ukraine, really tense now," Herskevich said.
"A lot of news about the concentration of troops, about weapons, what is to come in Ukraine. That's not right. 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 (IOC) announced that the athlete would not be punished after the question arose as to whether the body might view Herskevich's act as a violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Convention.
This rule, in part, states that "no form of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted at any Olympic venue, venue or other area."
"This was a general call for peace. For the IOC the matter is closed," the governing body of the Games said Friday night.
Herskewicz said earlier that he was not worried about any possible consequences.
"I hope the Olympics will support me in this situation. Nobody wants a war," said Hershkevich, who was not nominated for a medal.
"I hope it will help ... make peace in our country."
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