<p>A Russian gymnast who sported an insignia linked to his country's invasion of Ukraine on a medal podium has been banned for one year, a disciplinary panel said.</p>

<p>Ivan Kuliak's singlet had the letter 'Z' prominently placed as he stood next to Ukraine's Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist at a World Cup event in Doha in March.</p>

<p>The 'Z' has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolise support for the invasion.</p>

<p>A disciplinary commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) found that Kuliak violated rules of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the sport's ruling body.</p>

<p>"Mr Kuliak is not allowed to participate in any FIG-sanctioned event or competition organised by an affiliated FIG member federation for one year as of the date of this decision," GEF said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-gymnast-sports-z-symbol-on-shirt-while-sharing-podium-with-ukrainian-winner-sparks-outrage-459807">Russian gymnast sports 'Z' symbol on shirt while sharing podium with Ukrainian winner, sparks outrage</a></p>

<p>Kuliak must also return his bronze medal and prize money of 500 Swiss francs ($500). He has 21 days to appeal against the punishment.</p>

<p>It had already been decided that all Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will be banned from future competitions.</p>

<p>"If the protective measures keeping Russian athletes from competing are still in place on 17 May 2023, the ban shall continue and expire six months after the removal of said measures," GEF said.</p>


A Russian gymnast who sported an insignia linked to his country's invasion of Ukraine on a medal podium has been banned for one year, a disciplinary panel said. Ivan Kuliak's singlet had the letter 'Z' prominently placed as he stood next to Ukraine's Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist at a World Cup event in Doha in March.

A Russian gymnast who sported an insignia linked to his country's invasion of Ukraine on a medal podium has been banned for one year, a disciplinary panel said. Ivan Kuliak's singlet had the letter 'Z' prominently placed as he stood next to Ukraine's Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist at a World Cup event in Doha in March. The 'Z' has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolise support for the invasion. A disciplinary commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) found that Kuliak violated rules of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the sport's ruling body. "Mr Kuliak is not allowed to participate in any FIG-sanctioned event or competition organised by an affiliated FIG member federation for one year as of the date of this decision," GEF said. Also Read: Russian gymnast sports 'Z' symbol on shirt while sharing podium with Ukrainian winner, sparks outrage Kuliak must also return his bronze medal and prize money of 500 Swiss francs ($500). He has 21 days to appeal against the punishment. It had already been decided that all Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will be banned from future competitions. "If the protective measures keeping Russian athletes from competing are still in place on 17 May 2023, the ban shall continue and expire six months after the removal of said measures," GEF said.

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak banned for one year for pro-war 'Z' symbol

<p>Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sparked massive outrage on Sunday (March 06) after he was seen sporting an insignia showcasing support to his country in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Kuliak had a 'Z' symbol engraved on his shirt as he stood on the podium to collect his bronze medal in the parallel bars at a Gymnastics World Cup event in Doha, Qatar.</p>

<p>Kuliak had won the bronze medal finishing behind Ukraine's Kovtun Illia, who bagged the gold medal to stand on top of the podium. A Kuliak shared the podium with his Ukrainian rival, he had the symbol 'Z' placed on his shirt. At a time when several Russian athletes have stood up against their country's actions in Ukraine, Kuliak's behaviour has left many in shock.</p>

<p>The letter 'Z' reportedly symbolically represents 'victory' in Russian. Though the letter does not exist in the Cyrillic Russian alphabet, it has been used as a symbol for victory in the Ukraine war. Russia's tanks and military vehicles also have the symbol 'Z' engraved on them as they wreak havoc in Ukraine.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">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 <a href="https://t.co/1rmV5UNQnR">pic.twitter.com/1rmV5UNQnR</a></p>
— Tadeusz Giczan (@TadeuszGiczan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TadeuszGiczan/status/1500515900730101768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ukrainian Illya Kovtun won gold in a gymnastics event in Qatar. Russian Ivan Kuliak won bronze. Then the Russian - with a pompous, smug look on his face - wore a pro-war 'z' symbol on the podium. Disgusting. <a href="https://t.co/BC3hnfvKBo">pic.twitter.com/BC3hnfvKBo</a></p>
— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonLew87/status/1500654928737411074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reacting to Kuliak's actions, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to take disciplinary action against the Russian gymnast while terming his behaviour as 'shocking'. The FIG had already announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and judges will not be allowed to take part in any FIG-related events from Monday (March 07).</p>

<p>"The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” FIG said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelsea-manager-thomas-tuchel-condemns-roman-abramovich-chants-during-ukraine-solidarity-gesture-459553">&nbsp;Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel condemns Roman Abramovich chants during Ukraine solidarity gesture</a></p>

<p>“The FIG adopted further measures against Russia and Belarus on 4 March,” FIG said in a statement. “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," it added.</p>

<p>Several sporting bodies including the likes of the International Olympics Committee, FIFA and UEFA among others have sanctioned Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The sporting bodies have banned Russia from hosting any events and the Russian athletes from taking part in any sporting events organised by them.</p>

<p>Russia's invasion of Ukraine has received widespread criticism from across the globe as millions of Ukrainians have had to flee their country due to the war.</p>


Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sparked massive outrage on Sunday (March 06) after he was seen sporting an insignia showcasing support to his country in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sparked massive outrage on Sunday (March 06) after he was seen sporting an insignia showcasing support to his country in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Kuliak had a 'Z' symbol engraved on his shirt as he stood on the podium to collect his bronze medal in the parallel bars at a Gymnastics World Cup event in Doha, Qatar. Kuliak had won the bronze medal finishing behind Ukraine's Kovtun Illia, who bagged the gold medal to stand on top of the podium. A Kuliak shared the podium with his Ukrainian rival, he had the symbol 'Z' placed on his shirt. At a time when several Russian athletes have stood up against their country's actions in Ukraine, Kuliak's behaviour has left many in shock. The letter 'Z' reportedly symbolically represents 'victory' in Russian. Though the letter does not exist in the Cyrillic Russian alphabet, it has been used as a symbol for victory in the Ukraine war. Russia's tanks and military vehicles also have the symbol 'Z' engraved on them as they wreak havoc in Ukraine. 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 × Ukrainian Illya Kovtun won gold in a gymnastics event in Qatar. Russian Ivan Kuliak won bronze. Then the Russian - with a pompous, smug look on his face - wore a pro-war 'z' symbol on the podium. Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/BC3hnfvKBo — Don Lewis (@DonLew87) March 7, 2022 × Reacting to Kuliak's actions, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to take disciplinary action against the Russian gymnast while terming his behaviour as 'shocking'. The FIG had already announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and judges will not be allowed to take part in any FIG-related events from Monday (March 07). "The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” FIG said in a statement. Also Read: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel condemns Roman Abramovich chants during Ukraine solidarity gesture “The FIG adopted further measures against Russia and Belarus on 4 March,” FIG said in a statement. “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," it added. Several sporting bodies including the likes of the International Olympics Committee, FIFA and UEFA among others have sanctioned Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The sporting bodies have banned Russia from hosting any events and the Russian athletes from taking part in any sporting events organised by them. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has received widespread criticism from across the globe as millions of Ukrainians have had to flee their country due to the war.

Russian gymnast sports 'Z' symbol on shirt while sharing podium with Ukrainian winner, sparks outrage

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Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak banned for one year for pro-war 'Z' symbol

Russian gymnast sports 'Z' symbol on shirt while sharing podium with Ukrainian winner, sparks outrage