Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who wore the Russian pro war symbol Z while competing at the 2022 Doha World Cup, defended his shocking behavio...
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who wore the Russian pro war symbol Z while competing at the 2022 Doha World Cup, defended his shocking behavior.
"They told us to stick something over the flag, I did that. They've already banned everything they possibly can. I just wanted to show where I'm from, that's all," the 20 year old gymnast quoted by Telegram channel Shot.
"I wasn't afraid of the consequences. I didn't wish harm on anyone. This Z sign means "for victory", "for peace". The ugly way the Ukrainian athletes treated us, how they conducted themselves.. It simply had to be seen to be believed," he continues.
"They [Ukrainian athletes] started all this politics, this movement and I only went and stuck this on my uniform after they started to behave like that."
"They came out wrapped in flags and shouted "Glory to Ukraine" on the podium. According to the competition rules that's not allowed, but they did it. They also demanded that we be removed from the competition. Despite the fact that we didn't say or do anything bad to anyone."
"I think I acted as I should have done."
Kuliak wore the war symbol during the parallel bars final, where he won bronze medal behind Ukrainian Illia Kovtun (gold) and Kazakh Milad Karimi (silver), who is engaged to Ukrainian gymnast Diana Varinska and has been training in Ukraine for several years. He also wore it during the podium ceremony.
According to his Instagram, the Russian athlete underwent army training last year.
The International Gymnastics Federation has criticized his "shocking behavior" requesting a disciplinary investigation by Gymnastics Ethics Foundation.
The head of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation, Vasily Titov, announced that they will support the gymnast against any disciplinary action.
The Russian National Team Coordinator Valentina Rodionenko has also defended him.
Rodionenko accused the Ukrainian male gymnasts of deliberately acting negatively towards them.
Ukrainian gymnast Daniela Batrona refused to share the podium with Russian gymnasts Viktoria Listunova and Maria Minaeva at the uneven bars' medal ceremony.
Batrona, who won the bronze medal, was awarded separately while having the Ukrainian flag draped over her shoulders
Nine days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FIG announced banning Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges from taking part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions - starting from March 7th until further notice.
The Russian gymnasts competed at the Doha World Cup as neutral athletes.