Gymnastics: Russian Kuliak faces disciplinary motion for ‘shocking’ behaviour

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) stated it is going to open disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Russian inventive gymnast Ivan Kuliak for his “shocking behaviour” in displaying an emblem of assist for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine throughout an occasion.

The 20-year-old completed third within the parallel bars last on the Apparatus World Cup in Doha over the weekend and displayed the letter “Z” on the entrance of his outfit as he stood on the rostrum subsequent to Ukrainian rival Illia Kovtun, who received the gold.

Russian forces have used the letter Z as an figuring out image on their automobiles in Ukraine following Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour. Some supporters of the invasion have additionally been displaying the image.

“The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against … Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup,” the FIG stated in a press release.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” designed to not occupy territory however to destroy its neighbour’s army capabilities and seize what it regards as harmful nationalists.

Belarus has been a key staging space for Russian forces.

The FIG has already cancelled all of its occasions in Russia and Belarus including that it might not allocate different occasions to the 2 nations till additional discover.

“The FIG adopted further measures against Russia and Belarus on Mar 4. From Mar 7, 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions,” it added.