The International Gymnastics Federation announced that it will begin disciplinary proceedings against Russian artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak due to "shocking behavior" after he displayed a symbol supporting the Russian attack on Ukraine during a competition. The 20-year-old athlete finished third in the parallel bars final at the World Cup in Doha and showcased the letter "Z" as he stood on the podium next to his Ukrainian competitor, Illya Kovtun, who won the gold medal. Russian forces use this same letter to mark their vehicles and tanks in Ukraine following the invasion of the neighboring country. Some supporters of the attack also use the same symbol.
The International Gymnastics Federation stated in a press release, "The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against... Kuliak following his shocking behavior at the World Cup." The federation has previously canceled all of its competitions in Russia and Belarus and announced that no championships would be held there until further notice.
