Ivan Kuliak

The 20-year-old from Kaluga, Russia, took home the bronze medal in parallel bars at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar — an event in which Ukranian Illia ...

“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 behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” the statement said. The 20-year-old from Kaluga, Russia, took home the bronze medal in parallel bars at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar — an event in which Ukranian Illia Kovtun won first place — and could be seen with the “Z” on his chest on the podium. Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore a “Z” on his uniform in apparent support of Russian troops at a competition last week.

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sported a "Z' insignia linked to the invasion of Ukraine on a podium as he stood next to Ukrainian rival.

Kuliak, a former national junior all-around champion who did not compete at the Tokyo Olympics, now faces a ban under the FIG disciplinary code. The code allows gymnasts to be punished for acts that "behave in an offensive way," "damage the image of gymnastics" or "demonstrate anti-sport behavior." Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who sported an insignia linked to his country's military invasion of Ukraine on a medals podium, is facing disciplinary action for his "shocking" behavior on Sunday, the International Gymnastics Federation said.

The Russian gymnast who provoked global anger by wearing a propaganda symbol in support of the invasion of Ukraine on a World Cup podium has insisted that ...

“I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means,” added Kuliak, who received training with the Russian military last year. “It turned out to be ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace’. I didn’t wish anything bad on anyone. When Kuliak was asked if he regretted his act, he replied: “Not at all.