Russian gymnast faces disciplinary action over war symbol

Russian artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak is facing disciplinary action after displaying a Russian war symbol on the podium at a World Cup event in Doha, news outlets have reported.

Anti-war messages on the wall of an apartment building in Warsaw.

Photo: Danuta Isler/Radio Poland

Ukrainian Illia Kovtun won the event in Qatar at the weekend, while Kuliak finished third, Polish state broadcaster TVP Info reported on its website.

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

As the athletes stood on the podium, Kuliak displayed the letter “Z” on the front of his outfit, a symbol that has been seen on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine, according to the tvp.info website.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it would open disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak for his “shocking behaviour,” tvp.info reported.

(gs)

Source: tvp.info