Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sport

Russian Gymnast Faces Investigation After Bearing ‘Z’ Symbol On Leotard Next To Ukrainian Rival On Podium

It keeps getting worse…

CREDIT: EURONEWS / YOUTUBE

A Russian gymnast is facing investigation and disciplinary action after sporting a symbol in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine during the event

A video has recently surfaced of the Russian gymnast, Ivan Kuliak, displaying an insignia linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine – the letter ‘Z’ – on his leotard, as he stepped onto the medal podium. 

This comes after the increasing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine that has dated back since The Soviet Union, coming to a head in the past few weeks, when Russian president Vladimir Putin mounted an invasion of major Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv, rendering streets ravaged with war and many homeless. 

Countries around the world have come out in support of Ukraine and its leaders, with many decrying Putins actions. As such, The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak for his “shocking behaviour”. Watch the clip here:

In the clip, Kuliak steps onto the podium after he finished third in the parallel bars final at the Apparatus World Cup. The “Z” symbol is prominent in the centre of his leotard, as he stood next to Ukraine’s Kovtun Illia, the gold medallist.

The symbol was many military vehicles including Russian tanks before quickly becoming been embraced by some as a show of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The symbol itself derives from the Russian За победу, which begins with a “z” sound and means “for the victory”.

Written By

Freelance writer and journalist with an MA in English literature. He's been known to cry at sunsets and laugh in the face of ennui. Not lover nor fighter, but a man and barely one that.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

News

 “The politician division [in Pakistan] and politics of hate”, compelled Mr. Raisani to return. “They [people of Baluchistan] were dying, they were being isolated,...

Music

Is Olivia Rodrigo the new up-and-coming empowerment icon that women need, or has her Disney Channel days impacted her future?

News

Congress and multiple states are passing bills that limit Iranians' ability to buy property in the U.S. Some Iranian Americans say this will only...

Climate

Almost the entire European continent experienced tragedy related to weather events this summer.

News

The dog Yoda proved to be instrumental in the capture of escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante.

Sport

RFEF President Luis Rubiales resigned.

News

U.S. wars have moved away from the battlefields to school board meetings and classrooms. In the fight over education standards, Virginia’s government seemingly reached...

News

A professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was shot and killed. This event is part of a frightening trend in...

News

How you pay back your student loan debt is changing, likely for the better. Read about what to expect and how to enroll in...

Politics

A series of anti-Muslim demonstrations led by right-wing nationalists affect Sweden, Denmark and their relationship with Muslim countries.

News

March For Our Lives founder, David Hogg, thinks Gen Z has the potential to make big waves in politics. And he's taking steps to...

Politics

The Left in Spain established security in government with the help of regional independence parties. Where does this leave the Right?