Ivan Kuliak
(Picture: Social media image)A Russian athlete has caused outrage after wearing a pro-war sign on his outfit while competing against a Ukrainian rival.
Ivan Kuliak, who finished third in the parallel bars at the Doha 2022 World Cup behind Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun who won gold, was pictured with the letter Z taped across his top.
The letter, which represents victory in Russian, is daubed on the front of tanks and other military vehicles and is often sported by pro-Putin politicians and supporters.
1/2⚡️The Russian gymnast entered the awards ceremony with the letter Z on his chest. 20-year-old Ivan Kuliak took third place in the parallel bars competition at the World Cup in Doha. pic.twitter.com/HJfWsKfngp
— Flash (@Flash43191300) March 6, 2022
It comes after a group of Ukrainian athletes wrote an open letter last month to the heads of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee urging them to ban Russia and Belarus from international sport following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ivan Kuliak wore the letter Z on his chest - the symbol of Russian invasion in Ukraine - at a competition where Ukrainian gymnasts were competing. This is horrifying, @gymnastics https://t.co/i4COR0c1hE
— Gymnovosti (@gymnovosti) March 5, 2022
It said: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, is a clear breach of the Olympic and Paralympic Charters – a breach which must be met with strong sanctions.”
Addressed to Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, and Andrew Parsons, president of the IPC, the letter continued: “If the IOC and IPC refuse to take swift action you are clearly emboldening both Russia and Belarus violation of international law and your own charters.
“Your lack of action will send a message to every athlete and the world that you have chosen Russia and Belarus interests over athlete interests. Your legacy will be defined by your actions.”
The IPC has banned Russian athletes from the Beijing Winter Paralympics but only after a U-turn and Russia is last-ditch court appeal to over turn the ban.
In a further development the Russian Football Union later confirmed that it too would be going to court, bringing a case against Fifa and Uefa over the suspension of Russia and its club sides from international competition.
Earlier this week, the International Gymnastics Federation announced that from Monday, all Russian and Belarusian gymnasts and officials are banned from international competitions indefinitely.
