Russian gymnast Kuliak speaks out after standing on podium with “Z” painted on uniform

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak is facing disciplinary action by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for displaying the letter “Z” on the podium next to a Ukrainian rival in Qatar.

The improvised “Z” on his chest, has been seen a symbol of support for the war that his country’s army has unleashed on the Ukraine.

After his routine the 20-year-old athlete climbed to the third step of the podium with the ‘Z’ insignia on his uniform. He was respectful as the Ukrainian anthem played to recognize the winner Illia Kovtun but avoided being too close in the photo of the three podium winners. As the controversy over the event lit a firestorm throughout international media, Kuliak explained his thoughts on the subject.

“We were told to cover our flag. That’s what I did,” the gymnast declared on his Telegram channel as replicated by French newspaper Le Parisien and Spanish Marca. “I just wanted to show where I’m from, that’s all and nothing more. I have never been afraid of the consequences and I don’t want to hurt anyone. This ‘Z’ sign means ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace’. Ukrainian athletes treated us badly, you had to see it to believe it,” the athlete said.

Its irruption in the World Cup series held in Doha (Qatar) accentuated the debate on the meaning of the letters “Z” and “V” painted on several Russian military vehicles that are advancing on Ukrainian territory. Beyond being an identification of armies, the “Z” became a reference to support the Russian advance. The British newspaper Daily Mail explained that Russian politicians, activists and influential people wore this badge to show their support to the “special operation” promoted by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. It further stated that T-shirts with the “Z” are sold in that country.

“They started this whole political movement. It was in response to this behavior that I showed up with the patch on my shirt. The Ukrainians wrapped themselves in their flag and shouted “Glory to Ukraine” on the podium. According to the contest rules, this was not allowed, but no one said anything to them. They also demanded that we Russians be excluded, although we had not said or done anything against anyone,” Kuliak said. The Russian channel RT published an interview with the gymnast who spoke about the repercussions after the event went viral. “I try not to pay too much attention to what is happening around me. I don’t feel any particular discomfort.”

On his Instagram account he made a post in which he talked about his sporting performance: “No guys, I didn’t lose the gold, I won the bronze”. In the same event was his compatriot Aleksandr Kartsev, who did not expose any insignia and simply wore his blue uniform.

The truth is that what happened in the competition prompted the International Gymnastics Federation to ask the ethics board to “open disciplinary proceedings” against the athlete after his “shocking behavior” in Doha. At the same time, it had already defined that Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and judges would no longer be allowed to participate in authorized competitions as of March 7 until further notice.