Russian gymnast investigated for wearing pro-war symbol on podium next to Ukrainian

6 March 20226 March 2022.
Gymnastics



Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak is being investigated after wearing a national war symbol on his leotard as he stood next to a Ukrainian rival on the podium in Qatar on Saturday.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak for his "shocking behaviour" at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha.

After earning bronze in the parallel bars final, Kuliak taped a letter 'Z' on to his chest and took to the podium next to gold medal winner Illia Kovtun of Ukraine.

The letter Z has become symbolic with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has been seen painted on the side of tanks and military vehicles, as well as being worn by pro-war politicians in Russia.

This weekend was the final opportunity for Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to compete after their countries were sanctioned by the FIG as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

From Monday, Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and judges will not be allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions.

Russian gymnast adds ‘Z’ to vest on medal podium

6 Mar, 2022 16:22

Ivan Kuliak won bronze at the World Cup event

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has appeared at a World Cup medal ceremony wearing a 'Z' added to his vest.

The 20-year-old debutant at the event won bronze in the parallel bars competition in Doha.

Kuliak appeared to have taped the letter, which is one of the insignia on Russian military equipment, to the front of his vest.

Ukrainian Ilya Kovtun, who won gold, and silver medalist Milad Karimi, of Kazakhstan, stood next to Kuliak.

Russian athletes are competing at the World Cup under neutral status as part of sanctions imposed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) following the invasion of Ukraine.

Together with their Belarusian counterparts, Russian athletes will not be allowed to take part in FIG competitions from Monday.

Kaluga-born Kuliak became the Russian Junior all-around and floor champion in 2019.

The prospect has won a string of gold medals among a haul of honors at competitions in his homeland.

His third-placed finish in Qatar marked a successful start to his 2022 campaign in his first competition of the year.

In a statement on Friday, FIG confirmed that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not take part in the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Baku from March 10-13 2022.

The federation said the "exceptional and emergency measures" had been taken "in view of 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," it added.

"[We] will continue to monitor the situation closely and may further adapt these exceptional measures according to future developments."

thesicilian:
If truly sports bridges all gaps, and what happens off field shouldn't be allowed to affect what happens on the field of sports, why is the whole world being pressured to ban Russia from all sports? Are the athletes themselves the ones fighting the war?

wolesmile:
A

Lsofdk:

You all still book spaces?

sylve11:
Dual nationality, perhaps.