Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak is being investigated after attaching a national war symbol to his uniform for a medal ceremony at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
After earning bronze in the parallel bars final, Kuliak taped a white, pro-war ‘Z’ symbol to his chest before ascending the podium to stand beside gold medal winner Illia Kovtun of Ukraine.
The letter ‘Z’ has become representative of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the tag worn by supporters of the conflict and Vladimir Putin, and painted across Russian cities and military vehicles.
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The character has been interpreted to represent the Russian phrase for victory.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak for his “shocking behaviour”.
The competition was the last opportunity for Russian and Belarusian gymnasts, officials and judges to participate after their countries were sanctioned by the FIG, prohibiting their entry into future FIG events.
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