Ivan Kuliak: Russian gymnast says he has no regrets about wearing ‘Z’ symbol on podium next to Ukrainian athlete – state media
The 20-year-old was condemned by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for his “shocking behavior” at a gymnastics World Cup occasion in Doha, Qatar, final weekend.
kuliak wore a ‘Z’ symbol taped to his leotard whereas standing next toUkrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun on the podium — Kovtun received gold and Kuliak picked up bronze within the parallel bars on Saturday.
The ‘Z’ insignia has been displayed on tanks and automobiles utilized by the Russian navy in its Ukraine operations and has since grow to be a symbol of help for the invasion of Ukraine.
Propaganda movies on social media seem to present supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing clothes that includes the ‘Z’ symbol, waving Russian flags and chanting pro-Russia slogans.
“If there was a second chance and I would again have to choose whether to go out with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I would do exactly the same,” Kuliakis quoted as saying in Russia-controlled media outlet RussiaImmediately.
“I noticed it with our navy and checked out what this symbol means. It turned out [it means]’for victory’ and ‘for peace.’
“I didn’t wish anything bad on anyone, I just showed my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and stand for peace.”
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Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak was criticized after wearing 'Z' symbol on a podium.
Having acquired expressions of help from the top of his sport’s governing physique in Russia, the Artistic Gymnastics Federation of Russia (FSGR), Vasily Titov, Kuliak says he was aggravated by the Ukrainian athletes once they displayed their nationwide flag on the occasion in Doha .
Per FIG laws At the time, Russian gymnasts on the occasion have been solely allowed to compete as impartial athletes and couldn’t show any nationwide symbols.
The FIG confirmed in an announcement it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) to open disciplinary proceedings towards Kuliak. The GEF informed CNN that it couldn’t remark on pending or potential instances as a matter of process.
Since Monday, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officers, together with judges, are usually not allowed to participate in official FIG-sanctioned competitions following recommendation from the International Olympic Committee.
It comes because the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi estimates that no less than two million refugees have fled Ukraine since February 24, as preventing continues throughout the nation.
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