CNN
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Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who has been broadly criticized exterior Russia for carrying a pro-war image on a podium subsequent to a Ukrainian athlete, says he would “do precisely the identical” if given one other likelihood, in keeping with Russian state media.
The 20-year-old was condemned by the Worldwide Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for his “surprising conduct” at a gymnastics World Cup occasion in Doha, Qatar, final weekend.
Kuliak wore a ‘Z’ symbol taped to his leotard whereas standing subsequent toUkrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun on the rostrum – Kovtun received gold and Kuliak picked up bronze within the parallel bars on Saturday.
The ‘Z’ insignia has been displayed on tanks and automobiles utilized by the Russian navy in its Ukraine operations and has since grow to be a logo of help for the invasion of Ukraine.
Propaganda movies on social media seem to indicate supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin carrying clothes that includes the ‘Z’ image, waving Russian flags and chanting pro-Russia slogans.
“If there was a second likelihood and I might once more have to decide on whether or not to exit with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I might do precisely the identical,” Kuliakis quoted as saying in Russia-controlled media outlet Russia At this time.
“I noticed it with our navy and checked out what this image means. It turned out [it means], ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace.’
“I didn’t want something dangerous on anybody, I simply confirmed my place. As an athlete, I’ll all the time battle for victory and stand for peace.”
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Having obtained expressions of help from the top of his sport’s governing physique in Russia, the Creative Gymnastics Federation of Russia (FSGR), Vasily Titov, Kuliak says he was aggravated by the Ukrainian athletes after they displayed their nationwide flag on the occasion in Doha.
Per FIG regulations on the time, Russian gymnasts on the occasion have been solely allowed to compete as impartial athletes and couldn’t show any nationwide symbols.
The FIG confirmed in a press release it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Basis (GEF) to open disciplinary proceedings in opposition to Kuliak. The GEF advised CNN that it couldn’t touch upon pending or potential circumstances as a matter of process.
Since Monday, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officers, together with judges, are not allowed to participate in official FIG-sanctioned competitions following recommendation from the Worldwide Olympic Committee.
It comes because the UN Excessive Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi estimates that at least two million refugees have fled Ukraine since February 24, as combating continues throughout the nation.
