Russia speed skater appears to flip off USA team after Olympic victory, then apologizes; Watch vid

The Russian speed skater who on Tuesday appeared to flip off the USA team after a win in the Beijing Olympics has apologized for his actions.

A video of Russia Olympic Committee skater Daniil Aldoshkin appear to show him raise his hands in victory, then hold up only his middle finger on both gloved hands. 

Aldoshkin contends that he did not mean anything by the gesture. 

"I threw up my hands ... I didn't mean anything like that," he told RT.com. "I'm sorry if this offended anyone."

Alexei Kravtsov, the Russian Skating Union president, also issued an apology for the 20-year-old athlete's behavior, saying his gesture was "an outburst of emotion."

"Emotions took over at the finish line, there was no subtext in this action," he said. "We are sorry if someone differently perceived this situation and (it) offended someone. On behalf of the Russian Skating Union, we offer our official apologies." 

A team member of Aldoshkin's told the outlet that the young Olympian's reaction was meant to be celebratory, not disrespectful.

"In speed skating, we fight against time, not against an opponent," Ruslan Zakharov said. "It was purely an emotional reaction."

Norway would go on to upset the Russian team in the event finals.