Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych still plans to wear a helmet commemorating compatriot athletes killed in the war with Russia despite possible disqualification by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"Yes, that is the plan," he said after his final training run in Cortina on Wednesday. He has been allowed to wear the helmet in training but official Olympic competition is another matter.
It begins with the first two of a total of four runs on Thursday.
The IOC has referred to its regulations against political messages at the Games, which were set up together with the athletes' community.
The Olympic body has said that all athletes must be able to compete in a safe environment and not be influenced by various conflicts in the world.
On Wednesday, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said private talks would take place with the slider.
"We will reiterate the many, many opportunities he has to express his grief. He can do it on social media, in press conferences and in the mixed zone," Adams told a news conference.
"We want him to compete. We really want him to have his moment. That's very important. And we want all athletes to have a fair and level playing field."
On whether the Ukrainian would automatically be disqualified for wearing the helmet in competition, Adams added: "I don't think it is helpful in this situation to look at hypotheticals since we are trying to get him to take part.
"We want him to compete. Without labouring the point, there are rules and regulations the athletes want us to enforce. In the end, it would be an IOC matter."
Heraskevych's helmet features images of around half a dozen athletes, including Youth Olympics medallists, who were killed in Russian attacks. The design was intended as a tribute to sports colleagues who have died during the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other political leaders in Europe have backed Heraskevych, who was fourth at last year's world championships and could win a medal at these Olympics.
But German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) president Thomas Weikert has said that Heraskevych should accept the rules in his "helmet of memory" dispute with the IOC.
"If you fight and play based on rules then you also have to obey the rules. That's why I would recommend to him not to break the rules," Weikert said.
"But on the one hand I also understand the athlete who wants to show openly that the aggressor is from Russia and has invaded Ukraine.
"I think that from his point of view as well it's smarter to do this sensibly, and afterwards he can make political statements. Then he should do so with complete clarity."
At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Heraskevych held up a placard with the writing "No war in Ukraine" after a run. He was not punished by the IOC. The Russian invasion started a few days after the end of the Games in Beijing.
