‘I would do the same’
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has insisted he has no regrets over wearing a war symbol supporting the invasion of Ukraine during a World Cup event in Doha.
The 20-year-old came in for criticism after people noticed the ‘Z’ symbol, which has been spotted on Russian tanks and military vehicles, on his clothing while he received his bronze medal on the podium.
Kuliak himself also has close links to the Russian military having trained with them last year.
Kuliak was beaten to the gold medal in the parallel bars event by Ukrainian Illia Kovtun but his actions on the podium have led to an enormous backlash.
Russian Ivan Kuliak wore the letter Z on his chest during the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha.
The Z is reportedly a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kuliak won bronze in parallel bars. Ukraine's Kovtun Illia won gold.)https://t.co/iZ1Kb5RIUq pic.twitter.com/Qi6wGHMGHO— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 5, 2022
The International Gymnastics Federation (IGF) has condemned the Russian’s statement and confirmed that they would be launching an investigation – which could lead to a lengthy ban for the athlete.
A statement from the IGF read: “The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup.”
However Kuliak told Russia Today via the Daily Mail on Tuesday that he has no regrets about wearing the ‘Z’ symbol and that if given the chance to do so again, he would.
“If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I would do the same,” he said.
“I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out to be ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace.’ I just wanted to show my position.
“As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace.”
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
Prior to the event in Qatar, the IGF announced that all Russian and Belarusian competitors and officials would be forbidden from appearing at any events until further notice to keep in line with global sanctions imposed against the country.
Related links:
- Russian gymnast wears national war symbol while sharing podium with Ukrainian rival
- Russian athlete who wore national war symbol faces lengthy ban
- The letter Z has become a Russian symbol of patriotism and aggression – here’s what it means
