NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Gymnast Ivan Kulyak defended the decision to wear the letter “Z” on his chest at the World Instrument Championships in Doha, Qatar, in clear support for the Russian military that is invading Ukraine.
Kulyak told Russia Today, a state-owned publication also known as RT, that he would wear the symbol again if given the opportunity.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS ADS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Pro-Russian troops wearing uniforms without insignia ride an armored personnel carrier with the letter “Z” painted on the side in the separatist-controlled village of Bugas during the Ukrainian-Russian conflict in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, March 6, 2022. (REUTERS/Oleksandr Yermochenko)
“I saw this with our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out [it means]“for victory” and “for peace,” Kulyak argued. [what] my position [was]. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and stand for peace. Only [for that] and all.”
While Kulyak shrugged off the “Z” symbol as if it didn’t matter much, the white “Z” with a sickly image first appeared on tanks and other military equipment when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February. The symbol is said to identify the vehicles as friendly to Russian forces.
RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES
Kulyak could not help but criticize his “position”.
The 20-year-old from Kaluga, Russia placed third in the parallel bars event and joined Ukrainian Ilya Kovtun and Kazakh Milad Karimi on the podium. A white “Z” appeared on his gymnastic uniform in the center of his chest.
A protester holds a banner with a “Z” sign in reference to Russian tanks marked with the letter during a rally organized by Serbian right-wing organizations in support of Russian attacks on Ukraine, in Belgrade, Serbia, March 4, 2022. Thousands of Serbian ultra-nationalists marched in Belgrade in support of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. (Milos Miskov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
GYMNAST IVAN KULYAK WEARS ‘Z’ ON Podium, CLEARLY DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT FOR RUSSIAN FORCES, FIG CONDEMNS ACTION
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) condemned the apparent show of support.
“The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will apply to the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to initiate disciplinary proceedings against artistic gymnast Ivan Kulyak (Russia) following his shocking behavior at the World Apparatus Championships in Doha, Qatar,” FIG said in a statement.
“On March 4, the FIG took additional measures regarding Russia and Belarus. As of March 7, 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to compete in FIG competitions or in FIG-sanctioned competitions.”
Ivan Kulyak wears the letter “Z” in explicit support for the Russian forces at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. (Ivan Kulyak, Russia, Ukraine, war)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Gymnastics Federation has already condemned Russia and Belarus for the attacks. The organization said Russian and Belarusian athletes were suspended from competition indefinitely starting March 7. An event is planned for March 10-13 in Azerbaijan.