During the Beijing Olympics, a Ukrainian player calls for the war to be removed from his country

China (@voanews) – 12/02/2022. 10:17

The Ukrainian athlete uses the Olympics to call for peace in Ukraine and the world

• The International Olympic Committee confirmed that there were no repercussions for the Ukrainian player
• The Games’ governing body considered the Ukrainian player’s phrase: “a general call for peace.”

to lift Ukrainian player Vladislav Herasevich A small banner that reads “No to war in UkraineIn front of the cameras when he finished the race in Beijing Olympics Friday evening.

The Ukrainian player printed the phrase “No to war in UkraineOn a piece of paper in blue and yellow, matching the colors of his country’s flag.
“This is my position, like any normal person, I do not want war,” Ukrainian player “Herasevich” said after he finished the competition, “I want peace in my country, I want peace in the world, it is my position, so I fight for it, I fight for peace.” “.

“This is my position, like any normal person, I do not want war”, “I want peace in my country, I want peace in the world, it is my position, so I fight for it, I fight for peace.”

He added that the situation “in Ukraine Really nervous now”, a lot of news related to weapons and preparations for war, all over Ukraine, so I decided, before the Olympics, to show my position to the world.

This gesture came from the Ukrainian player at a time when mobilized Russia More than 100,000 troops are near Ukraine, prompting Western fears that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine. Russia insists it has no such plans but does not want to allow Ukraine and other former Soviet states to join the Western NATO.

And shortly after the race, she said International Olympic Committee There would be no repercussions for the athlete, but there was a question as to whether the body could consider Hirašević’s act a violation of Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, which states, in part, that “No political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda of any kind is permitted in any country.” Olympic venues, venues, or other fields.

The Games’ governing body considered the Ukrainian player’s phrase: “a general call for peace.”
Herasevich said earlier that he was not worried about any possible repercussions, “I hope this helps to make peace in our country.”

Herasevich: Not worried about any possible repercussions, “I hope this helps make peace in our country.”

The International Olympic Committee has softened its ruling against protests ahead of the Tokyo Games, allowing athletes to express themselves politically before competitions begin.
In the run-up to these Games, many prepared for possible protests against the host country, China, which has been accused of widespread abuses against Uyghurs She has also come under fire for her policies toward Tibet, her suppression of dissent in Hong Kong, and the near-total disappearance of tennis player Peng Shuai after she accused a former Communist Party official of sexual assault.

Concerns about human rights abuses have led many countries to boycott the Olympics, while Chinese organizers have warned foreign athletes that any statement that goes against Chinese law could subject them to punishment.
Meanwhile, escalating tensions over Ukraine overshadowed the opening ceremony last week, when the head of the International Olympic Committee appealed Thomas Bach Participating nations uphold the long-standing Olympic truce, which calls for a cessation of hostilities during the Games.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, was present when Bach spoke, and some suggest he may not want to invade Ukraine during the Olympics to avoid embarrassing his ally, Chinese President Xi Jinping.