Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak faces lengthy ban after wearing ‘Z’ war symbol on podium next to Ukrainian athlete

RUSSIAN gymnast Ivan Kuliak faces a ban after publicly expressing his support for the war in Ukraine.

Kuliak, 20, finished third in the parallel bars at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha and proceeded to wear a ‘Z’ on his chest when standing on the podium.

Claro Sports

Ivan Kuliak sparked outrage by expressing his support for the invasion[/caption]

Claro Sports

Kuliak showed off the symbol when stood next to Ukrainian winner Illia Kovtun[/caption]

Reuters

The letter Z has been displayed on Russian military vehicles[/caption]

Getty

‘Z’ has become a symbol of support for the invasion in Russia[/caption]

The letter has been featured on Russian tanks and military vehicles in Ukraine and has become a symbol of support for Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

To make matters worse, Kuliak wore the symbol when stood next to Ukrainian Illia Kovtun who won the event.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it would ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak “following his shocking behaviour”.

It is possible the Russian could lose his bronze medal, with the FIG also revealing Kuliak could be banned from competing in their sanctioned events for an unspecified duration.

Oleg Verniaiev, who won gold in the parallel bars for Ukraine at the Rio Olympics, wrote on Instagram: “Of course, you will excuse me, but let the Russians not shout that sport is out of politics!

“Congratulations to our guy, everything is in its place, glory to Ukraine.”

Unfortunately, Kuliak is not the only Russian sportsperson to come out in support of the invasion.

Russian chess player Sergey Karjakin has been banned from the Chess World Tour following his comments supporting the war.

Another gymnast Svetlana Khorkina, who won seven Olympic medals between 1996 and 2004, shared the “Z” symbol online with the caption: “A campaign for those who are not ashamed to be Russian.”

It comes as Russia has issued a list of three key demands on Ukraine to end the war, despite Ukrainian forces recapturing a city after driving Putin’s forces out.

A Kremlin spokesman called for Ukraine to cease military action, change its constitution to become a neutral country, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Luhansk and Donetsk.