Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak facing ban for pro-invasion symbol on podium
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak is predicted to be investigated after displaying a logo on his uniform supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
Kuliak taped the “Z” image, seen on Russian tanks and army autos in Ukraine and embraced by supporters of the warfare, to his vest for a medal ceremony at a World Cup occasion on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. He took bronze in parallel bars and stood subsequent to a gold medallist from Ukraine.
The Worldwide Gymnastics Federation, generally known as FIG, denounced the “stunning behaviour” by Kuliak and pledged to ask its impartial integrity unit to analyze.
“We will affirm that [FIG] has knowledgeable us that they may formally be looking for the opening of disciplinary proceedings towards male creative gymnast Ivan Kuliak,” the Gymnastics Ethics Basis mentioned Monday.
The 20-year-old Kuliak was capable of compete in Qatar as a result of the exclusion of all gymnasts and officers from Russia and Belarus didn’t take impact till Monday. The Russian flag was already barred from his uniform by an earlier FIG determination.
Kuliak, a former nationwide junior all-around champion who didn’t compete on the Tokyo Olympics, now faces a ban underneath the FIG disciplinary code. The code permits gymnasts to be punished for acts that “behave in an offensive approach,” “injury the picture of gymnastics” or “exhibit anti-sport behaviour.”
The game’s ethics basis was created in 2018 following the intercourse abuse scandal involving former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar.
