Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak defends wearing controversial ‘Z’ war symbol

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak says he has no regrets over wearing a symbol in support of the invasion of Ukraine on the podium following a World Cup event in Doha on Saturday.

Kuliak attached a letter ‘Z’ to his chest before receiving his bronze medal in the parallel bars, an event won by Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun.

The letter has been seen daubed on the sides of Russian tanks, and has come to be regarded as a sign of support for the invasion.

The 20-year-old’s move was condemned as ‘shocking behaviour’ by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which has asked its Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to launch an investigation.

A statement from the governing body read: ‘The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar.’

But Kuliak, who faces the prospect of a lengthy ban, was unrepentant on Tuesday, telling Russia Today: ‘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.

‘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.’

Prior to the event in Doha, the FIG had announced that all Russian gymnasts and officials would be banned from international events from March 7 until further notice in line with global sporting sanctions against the country.

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