Ivan Kuliak is under investigation after wearing a Z, a pro-Russian symbol, on his gymnastics uniform at a recent competition.
A Russian gymnast could be stripped of his medal after wearing a controversial symbol during a competition. Ivan Kuliak could lose his bronze medal in parallel bars from the International Gymnastics Federation’s Artistic World Cup after it was shown he wore a “Z” symbol during competition. This symbol has been seen on Russian tanks and vehicles invading Ukraine and is often affiliated with pro-war sentiment. The International Gymnastics Federation previously announced that they will “open disciplinary proceedings” as a result of Kuliak’s “shocking behavior” at the competition. While specific details on what disciplinary measures the 20-year-old gymnast will face are unknown, one possibility that Kuliak could face is being stripped of his bronze medal.
