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(Video Credit: euronews)
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak shockingly wore the letter “Z” taped to his chest on Sunday, which has come to symbolize support for the invasion of Ukraine, at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar after he clinched a bronze in his event and then stood on the podium next to the Ukrainian gold medalist.
Kuliak, 20, hails from Kaluga, Russia, and is an artistic gymnast. He placed third in the parallel bars. When it came time for the medals to be presented, he took his place on the podium with Ukrainian Illia Kovtun who won the gold, and Kazakh Milad Karimi who took the silver while proudly displaying the “Z” in defiance.
The letter “Z” could be seen proudly displayed on Russian tanks and military vehicles as they rolled into Ukraine in February. It is meant to identify the vehicles as part of the invading Russian force. It has also been worn by pro-war politicians in Russia. Kuliak was unable to wear the Russian flag as it had already been banned by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
FIG resoundingly condemned Kuliak’s apparent show of support for the Russian military, according to Fox News.
https://twitter.com/meghamohan/status/1500522060552208384
A loser. In gymnastics and in life. Shame on you, Ivan Kuliak, and your Z symbol of atrocities, killing innocents and war crimes. pic.twitter.com/1PiYuCzdT1
— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) March 7, 2022
Just saw that Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore 'Z' symbol at the World Cup in Doha yesterday to show his support for the war in Ukraine. Can't think of a more disgusting thing to do and a better reason to ban Russia from sporting events altogether instead of current half measures pic.twitter.com/1rmV5UNQnR
— Tadeusz Giczan (@TadeuszGiczan) March 6, 2022
“The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against male artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak (RUS) following his shocking behavior at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” FIG declared in a statement. “The FIG adopted further measures against Russia and Belarus on 4 March. From 7 March 2022. Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions.”
FIG adopts further measures against Russia and Belarus:
Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions from 7 March until further notice.
Press release 👉 https://t.co/9RsEVEZ5YW pic.twitter.com/Cc9ZikMxZj— FIG (@gymnastics) March 4, 2022
Possible punishment for Kuliak includes “the cancellation of results of a competition,” which means he could lose his bronze medal, and “the proscription to take part in the FIG events and other international events for one given or unspecified duration.”
Russia and Belarus had previously been condemned by the gymnastics federation. On March 7th, the federation will ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition indefinitely.
“The FIG would like to stress that these exceptional and emergency measures are decided and issued in view of the above-mentioned extraordinary circumstances. They constitute preventive measures aiming at preserving the integrity of Gymnastics, the safety, and integrity of members and all athletes and participants, and at fighting against all forms of violence and of sports injustice,” the organization proclaimed in a statement on Friday. “Russian and Belarusian nationals who are members of the FIG Executive Committee or of FIG technical committees are not affected by this measure when acting in their capacity as FIG Authorities.”
The organization that oversees Russian gymnasts acknowledged in a statement that Kuliak’s display violated FIG rules, but wholeheartedly supported his actions according to CNN.
On Monday, the head of the Artistic Gymnastics Federation of Russia (FSGR), Vasily Titov, told Russian publication MK that Kuliak has its full support. FSGR quoted the article on its official website.
“I don’t think that Ivan wanted to make a special demonstration, but we will support him in any case,” he remarked. “It was a violation of the uniform approved by the FIG. I think that they can punish, they can also remove us from participation. But we were already removed.”
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