Photo: NPR/YouTube
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak was given disciplinary action after wearing a “Z” symbol on his uniform as he stood next to Ukrainian Illia Kovtun on the podium at the Apparatus World Cup, a gymnastics event, in Doha, Qatar last Saturday.
The letter has become a symbol of support for the Ukraine invasion even though Z is not part of the Cyrillic alphabet. Russian military vehicles have also been seen with the letter, and supporters of the invasion have utilized it.
Kuliak had taped it over his uniform in place of the Russian flag after the flag was banned by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
Kuliak won bronze and Kovtun won gold for parallel bars. This set the two athletes beside each other in the medal ceremony.
On Sunday, the FIG issued a statement saying 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.”
In late February, the world gymnastics regulatory body announced that the flags of both Russia and Belarus and the two countries’ national anthems were banned from display in any FIG competitions.
The FIG has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from participating in any FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions, effective March 7.
The FIG’s decision aligns with other world sporting organizations distancing themselves from Russia since the country invaded Ukraine.
All Russian soccer teams were also recently suspended by the international soccer governing body FIFA. As a result, they are banned from competitions until further notice. This announcement came after numerous European teams refused to play Russia in friendlies, upcoming competitions, and World Cup qualifying matches. It was supported by the UEFA, the governing body of European soccer. Consequently, Russia has been effectively banned from competing in the upcoming 2022 World Cup.
Russian athletes were also banned from the Beijing Paralympic Games the day before the events began.
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