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A Russian gymnast who donned a badge connected to his country’s attack of Ukraine on a medal podium has been banned for one year, a disciplinary panel said.
Ivan Kuliak’s singlet had the letter ‘Z’ conspicuously positioned as he remained close to Ukraine’s Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist at a World Cup event in Doha in March.
The ‘Z’ has been seen smeared on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to represent support for the intrusion.
A disciplinary commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) found that Kuliak disregarded rules of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), the game’s decision body.
“Mr Kuliak is not allowed to participate in any FIG-sanctioned event or competition organised by an affiliated FIG member federation for one year as of the date of this decision,” GEF said.
Kuliak will likewise return his bronze medal and prize cash of 500 Swiss francs.
It had proactively been concluded that all Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will be banned from future rivalries.
“If the protective measures keeping Russian athletes from competing are still in place on 17 May 2023, the ban shall continue and expire six months after the removal of said measures,” GEF said.
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