CNN
—
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who obtained criticism exterior of Russia for carrying a pro-war image on a podium subsequent to a Ukrainian athlete, has obtained a one-year ban for his actions.
The 20-year-old wore a ‘Z’ image taped to his leotard whereas standing subsequent to Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun on a podium in March – Kovtun received gold and Kuliak picked up bronze within the parallel bars on the gymnastics World Cup occasion in Doha, Qatar.
The ‘Z’ insignia has been displayed on tanks and automobiles utilized by the Russian army and has turn into a logo of help for the invasion of Ukraine.
The Worldwide Gymnastics Federation (FIG) criticized Kuliak for his “surprising habits” and the athlete has now been sanctioned by the Disciplinary Fee of the Gymnastics Ethics Basis (GEF) for violating FIG guidelines.
The GEF dominated that Kuliak is banned from any FIG affiliated occasion for 12 months and should return his bronze medal.
“If the protecting measures preserving Russian athletes from competing are nonetheless in place on 17 Could 2023, the ban shall proceed and expire six months after the removing of mentioned measures,” the assertion added.
Russian and Belarusian athletes and officers, together with judges, are usually not allowed to participate in official FIG-sanctioned competitions following recommendation from the Worldwide Olympic Committee amid the invasion.
Kuliak should additionally repay the prize cash of $501.77 and pay $2,007 in direction of the price of proceedings.
The gymnast has 21 days to attraction the choice.
CNN has reached out to the Inventive Gymnastics Federation of Russia (FSGR) relating to any attainable attraction however has not obtained a response.
Amid criticism, Kuliak mentioned he would “do precisely the identical” if given one other likelihood, in response to Russian state media on the time.
“I noticed it with our army and checked out what this image means. It turned out [it means], ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace,’” Kuliak is quoted as saying in Russia-controlled media outlet Russia At present.
“I didn’t want something unhealthy on anybody, I simply confirmed my place. As an athlete, I’ll all the time battle for victory and stand for peace.”