<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian gymnast <keyword id="13978514" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ivan-kuliak" source="Orion">Ivan Kuliak</keyword> was barred from competing for a year this week.</li><li>In early March, Kuliak sparked outrage by wearing the pro-war "Z" symbol on his chest on the podium.</li></ul>Banning gymnast Ivan Kuliak for a year is "completely lawless" and outside the rules of international <keyword id="11917114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gymnastics" source="Orion">gymnastics</keyword>, a top <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> official in Moscow has said.Earlier this week, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-ivan-kuliak-pro-war-symbol-banned-one-year-2022-5">20-year-old Russian Kuliak was banned from competing for a year</a> following his actions at a March meet in Doha, Qatar.After finishing third in a World Cup event, <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">Kuliak posed on the podium sporting a "Z" on his chest</a> while standing next to Illia Kovtun, a Ukrainian gymnast who had won the competition. The "Z" symbol is <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">associated</a> with support for <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s invasion of <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>.Kuliak's display was widely condemned at the time, but he has only now been formally punished individually, sparking anger in Russia.Dmitry Svishchev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Education and Sport, <a href="https://tass.ru/sport/14654903">in an interview with state media outlet TASS on Wednesday</a> questioned why Kuliak had been banned at all, saying there is nothing in the rules that say he could not wear the "Z" symbol."I was surprised to see that the International Federation and the organizers of the Doha tournament have added several letters of the Latin alphabet to the list of banned symbols," Svishchev said, per a translation by Insider."When I read the regulations, I did not see that they were on the list that might result in sanctions," said Svishchev."Therefore, the decision to disqualify an athlete and deprive them of awards and prize money is completely lawless."<div type="image" title="An image of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak and his Ukrainian rival Ilia Kovtun." height="1296" width="2594" msid="91668605" hostid="261"></div>Alongside his ban, Kuliak was ordered to repay the prize money he won at the Qatar competition, 500 Swiss francs ($512) and to pay a further 2,000 Swiss francs ($2,049) for the cost of proceedings."What is not forbidden is allowed, and I personally do not see Kuliak's behavior as offensive, discriminatory or nationalistic, just like the rest of the normal civilized world," Svishchev continued."Unfortunately, the Federation cannot cope with the pressure coming from politicians and big business tycoons who regulate law or lawlessness in sport. It has not withstood the blow, and an innocent athlete has suffered."Kuliak's ban will run until at least May 17, 2023. If the ban on all Russian athletes currently enforced by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is still in place on that date, Kuliak will be banned for another six months, authorities said.The ban is just the latest handed down to Russian athletes since the invasion of Ukraine. As well as broad brush bans on athletes in a number of sports like swimming and <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-banned-olympics-over-ukraine-war-2022-2">soccer</a>, a number of individuals have also been banned for overt pro-Moscow displays.<a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-swimmer-rylov-defiant-ban-says-do-what-he-wants-2022-4">Double Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Rylov, for instance, was banned by swimming's governing body FINA</a>, after he attended a pro-war demonstration in Moscow in March.Elsewhere, Russian and Belarusian players have been <a href="https://www.insider.com/wimbledon-russia-ban-wta-atp-djokovic-turn-against-biggest-tournament-2022-4">banned from this summer's Wimbledon tennis tournament.</a>

Decision to ban Russian gymnast who wore the pro-war 'Z' symbol, while standing on the podium with a Ukrainian, is 'completely lawless,' Moscow official says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A rights group says that two-thirds of Russian Olympic athletes are breaking rules of neutrality.</li><li>Russia is barred from competing, but some athletes can compete under a "neutral" flag.</li></ul>At least two-thirds of the Russian athletes set to participate in the Olympic Games starting next week in Paris are openly defying neutrality rules over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a human rights group claims.Russia and Belarus are barred from sending teams to compete in the Olympics due to the war. However, athletes from the countries can still compete as "individual neutral athletes," or AINs, if they meet certain conditions.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://olympics.com/ioc/paris-2024-individual-neutral-athletes">As of July 13</a>, 15 Russian athletes had accepted invitations to participate as AINs.The invitations are based on strict rules <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/News/2023/12/principles-of-participation-for-individual-neutral-athletes.pdf">outlined by the International Olympic Committee</a> that forbid military employment and public expressions of support for the war.But an extensive dossier compiled by the human rights foundation Global Rights Compliance, and shared with Business Insider, showed that 10 of the Russian athletes have been openly pro-military, either on social media or through groups they are affiliated with.Seven Belarusians were also found to have broken the IOC's rules, it said."The IOC is turning a blind eye to the involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes who have demonstrated their support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine," Wayne Jordash, the group's president, said in a statement to BI.He added that "this is not only a violation of the UN Charter, but it continues to punish Ukraine's innocent men, women and children with a daily catalog of war crimes and crimes against humanity."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.barrons.com/news/paris-march-honours-ukraine-athletes-killed-in-russia-war-b1bd93f5">At least 450 top Ukrainian athletes have died in the war</a>, the group noted.A spokesperson for the IOC did not respond to most of BI's questions, offering instead a blanket statement saying it had reviewed all cases according to the guidelines and could not comment further.<h2 id="5615c9b0-c3d4-4621-9742-f352a07a5304">A hollow neutrality?</h2>In December, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://olympics.com/ioc/news/strict-eligibility-conditions-in-place-as-ioc-eb-approves-individual-neutral-athletes-ains-for-the-olympic-games-paris-2024">the IOC announced that</a> "strict" eligibility conditions had been set for AINs, who needed to sign up to "the peace mission of the Olympic Movement."Athletes will compete in white uniforms under a green flag, and stand for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/News/2024/03/AIN-Anthem.mp3">a lyric-less anthem</a> written specially for the event.The IOC also said it would be doing background checks on all their activities, including statements made on social media, attending pro-war events, and displaying pro-war symbols like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">the "Z" used by Russian armed forces</a>.But Global Rights Compliance, citing open source research, identified multiple Russian and Belarusian athletes who it says fall foul of this.BI was unable to independently verify all of the group's findings.<h2 id="c9dcc877-412b-4df3-9e90-1f2136a99f6e">Liking Russian military 'heroes' on Instagram</h2>Elena Vesnina, a tennis player known for her success in doubles matches, is set to compete as an AIN in Paris.Yet in March 2022, a verified Instagram account apparently belonging to Vesnina "liked" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Caytgncs0Tn/">a post</a> by Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, which hailed the "heroism" of three Russian soldiers for fighting in Ukraine. In the post, Solovyov referred to Ukrainians as neo-Nazis.<div type="image" title="Russian tennis player, Yelena Vesnina stands in readiness at the 2020 Olympic Games mixed doubles tennis tournament with her playing partner, Aslan Karatsev, stretching for the ball in the background, in Tokyo, Japan, August 2021." height="641" width="1000" msid="111839572" hostid="261" sizebytes="28428"></div>Vesnina is one of seven Russian tennis players who have accepted an invitation to play as an AIN — four of whom Global Rights Compliance says have breached neutrality rules.The account attached to Vesnina also "liked" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca6yT1JqxWg/">a March 2022 post</a> showing a picture of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/07/sport/ivan-kuliak-russian-gymnastics-ukraine-z-spt-intl/index.html">wore a "Z</a>" on his leotard as he stood next to a Ukrainian gymnast, bringing international condemnation.<div type="image" title="Ivan Kuliak" height="1332" width="2000" msid="111839571" hostid="261" sizebytes="57752"></div>The person who made the post — Russian former gymnast Alexey Nemov — had added commentary railing against Kuliak's critics.Vesnina did not respond to BI's request for comment.<h2 id="5e4a0f93-929e-4170-846f-24a60c0d859b">Connections to the military</h2>GRC also identified several athletes as being members of sporting groups with close ties to Russia's military.Several of them, the group said, are members of the All-Russian Physical Culture and Sports Society "Dynamo" — an association devoted to developing the combat fitness of the security services — or the Central Sports Club of the Army.Two of the Belarusian athletes are even members of the armed forces, the group said.The IOC rules state that athletes can't be "contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies."Global Rights Compliance said it was releasing the dossier as "a measure of last resort," stating that the IOC had all but ignored its multiple warnings.It said that the IOC initially responded to say it took the allegations seriously and was "reviewing" the athletes, but that it didn't hear a word from the Olympic committee after that.

Many supposedly 'neutral' Russian Olympic athletes have cheered on the invasion of Ukraine, rights group says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has appealed his one-year ban from the sport.</li><li>The 20-year-old was banned for wearing a pro-war "Z" symbol on his outfit at a medal ceremony.</li></ul>The Russian gymnast who wore a <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-defends-display-pro-war-z-would-do-again-2022-3">pro-war "Z" symbol</a> while stood next to a Ukrainian during a medal ceremony has lodged an appeal against his one year ban from the sport.In March, around two weeks after the Russian invasion of <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> began, Ivan Kuliak <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">displayed the symbol on the podium</a> after winning bronze in the parallel bars final at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar.Illia Kovtun of Ukraine won gold in the event.The "Z" symbol has been <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">painted on the side of Russian military vehicles</a> invading Ukraine and has been promoted by people supporting the invasion.<div type="image" title="An image of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak and his Ukrainian rival Ilia Kovtun." height="1456" width="2594" msid="92107044" hostid="261"></div>As a result of his actions, in May, the Disciplinary Commission of the <keyword id="11917114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gymnastics" source="Orion">Gymnastics</keyword> Ethics Foundation (GEF) <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-ivan-kuliak-pro-war-symbol-banned-one-year-2022-5">barred Kuliak from competing in the sport for a year</a> and ordered him to return his prize money of around $500.According to <a href="https://tass.ru/sport/14851969">Russia's official state news agency TASS</a>, the 20-year-old has now appealed the decision."Kuliak filed an appeal with the Gymnastic Ethics Foundation Appeal Tribunal against the decision of the disciplinary commission to disqualify him for one year," Vasily Titov, President of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation (FSGR) told TASS.GEF confirmed to Insider that an appeal had been filed by Kuliak.Kuliak has previously defended his decision to wear the "Z" symbol on his chest during the ceremony, <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-defends-display-pro-war-z-would-do-again-2022-3">saying he would do the same again if he had the chance.</a>"If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter 'Z' on my chest or not, I would do the same," he said."I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out to be 'for victory' and 'for peace.' I just wanted to show my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace."

Russian gymnast who wore pro-war symbol while stood next to Ukrainian rival has appealed the lengthy ban he was hit with

<ul class="summary-list"><li>During a March medal ceremony, Ivan Kuliak wore a symbol associated with <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> invasion.</li><li>He was standing next to his Ukrainian rival in Qatar at the time and has since defended his actions.</li></ul>A Russian gymnast who wore a <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-defends-display-pro-war-z-would-do-again-2022-3">pro-war "Z" symbol</a> while standing next to his Ukrainian opponent has been barred from the sport for a year and ordered to return his medal.In March, Ivan Kuliak, 20, <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">displayed the symbol on the podium</a> during a medal ceremony at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar. The same symbol has been <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">painted on the side of Russian military vehicles</a> invading Ukraine and has since been promoted by people supporting the invasion.During the ceremony, Kuliak, who won bronze in the competition's parallel-bars final, stood <a href="https://twitter.com/rwesthead/status/1500169855198281729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1500169855198281729%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Fpost%2Fpreview%3Fpost_id%3D6227464326c4904c6c6cda74mode%3Ddesktop">inches away</a> from his Ukrainian opponent, Illia Kovtun, who won gold.<div type="image" title="An image of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak and his Ukrainian rival Ilia Kovtun." height="1456" width="2594" msid="91633475" hostid="261"></div>Immediately after the competition, the International <keyword id="11917114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gymnastics" source="Orion">Gymnastics</keyword> Federation criticized Kuliak, describing his behavior as "shocking" and calling for disciplinary proceedings against the athlete.The governing body, known by its initials in French, FIG, said <a href="https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?urlNews=3505962">in a Tuesday statement</a> that Kuliak's stunt breached its code of conduct and barred him from competing in the sport for a year, retroactively disqualified him from the Doha competition, and ordered him to return his medal.FIG also ordered Kuliak to return his prize money of 500 Swiss francs — about $502 — and pay a further 2,000 Swiss francs for the cost of proceedings.The federation had on March 4 <a href="https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/news/displaynews.php?idNews=3444">already barred</a> athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus from joining any event or competition organized by FIG or its affiliate for an unspecified amount of time.In its Tuesday statement, FIG said that it was barring Kuliak until May 17, 2023, and that if the ban on Russian athletes was still in place then, Kuliak's ban would continue for another six months.Kuliak can appeal the decision within 21 days of being notified, FIG added.Russian athletes have been barred from many international <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> since the invasion of Ukraine.In February, the International Olympic Committee, which organizes the Olympic Games, <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-banned-olympics-over-ukraine-war-2022-2">called for a ban on athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus</a>. FIFA, soccer's governing body, has also <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-banned-olympics-over-ukraine-war-2022-2">barred Russian teams from international competition</a>, meaning its men's team will miss the 2022 World Cup.<a href="https://www.insider.com/wimbledon-russia-ban-wta-atp-djokovic-turn-against-biggest-tournament-2022-4">Wimbledon</a> has also barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at this summer's tennis tournament.Individual Russian athletes have also been sanctioned for supporting the war in Ukraine. Evgeny Rylov, a swimmer who won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, was last month <a href="https://www.insider.com/russia-olympian-evgeny-rylov-banned-swimming-attended-pro-war-rally-2022-4">barred from swimming competitions</a> for nine months for attending a rally in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin.After receiving backlash for wearing the "Z" symbol, Kuliak <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-defends-display-pro-war-z-would-do-again-2022-3">appeared to blame his Ukrainian opponents</a> for creating an "uncomfortable" atmosphere at the competition and said he would display the symbol again."If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter 'Z' on my chest or not, I would do the same," Kuliak told Russian state media."I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means," he added. "It turned out to be 'for victory' and 'for peace.' I just wanted to show my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace."

A Russian gymnast who wore pro-war 'Z' symbol at a competition has been barred for a year and ordered to return his medal

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Gymnast Ivan Kuliak was seen wearing a "Z" on his <keyword id="11917114" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gymnastics" source="Orion">gymnastics</keyword> uniform after an event Sunday.</li><li>The symbol has been displayed on military vehicles invading Ukraine, and co-opted by pro-war groups.</li></ul>The Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak said he has no regrets after he was pictured wearing a <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">pro-war "Z" symbol</a> at a Sunday medal ceremony.Kuliak, who earned bronze in the parallel bars final at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar, displayed the symbol while standing on a podium <a href="https://twitter.com/rwesthead/status/1500169855198281729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1500169855198281729%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insider.com%2Fpost%2Fpreview%3Fpost_id%3D6227464326c4904c6c6cda74mode%3Ddesktop">with his Ukrainian rival</a>.The symbol has been seen <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">painted on the side of Russian tanks and military vehicles</a> deployed to invade Ukraine.It has since been co-opted by civilians who support the invasion, seemingly including Kuliak, who was beaten in the event by Ukrainian athlete Illia Kovtun, who took gold.<a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">After Kuliak's display, he was sharply criticized,</a> including by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which called for disciplinary proceedings following his "shocking behavior."<a href="https://www.rt.com/sport/551465-kuliak-russia-ukraine-fig-doha/">But in an interview with the state-sponsored media outlet Russia Today,</a> Kuliak appeared to blame his Ukrainian opponents, whom he said "escalated" tensions at the competition."Their behavior at some points was completely unacceptable," Kuliak told RT."During performances they would shout 'Glory to Ukraine!', or go out on the podium wrapped in the national flag while we were considered neutral athletes, and because of this we felt uncomfortable."He said the behavior of the Ukrainian athletes "greatly escalated the situation."Kuliak didn't provide evidence for his assertions, and footage from the podium ceremony showed that Kovtun was not draped in a Ukrainian flag.<div type="image" title="An image of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak and his Ukrainian rival Ilia Kovtun." height="1296" width="2594" msid="90081073" hostid="261"></div>"If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter 'Z' on my chest or not, I would do the same," Kuliak continued."I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out to be 'for victory' and 'for peace.' I just wanted to show my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace." The claim that <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword> was seeking peace in Ukraine by launching an invasion is a frequent talking point in Russian media.Kuliak's bosses back home also said that they backed the athlete's choices."I don't think that Ivan wanted to make a special demonstration, but we will support him in any case," said Vasily Titov, <a href="https://sportgymrus.ru/news/8022-fsgr-podderzhala-obninskogo-gimnasta-vyshedshego-na-nagrazhdenie-kubka-mira-s-bukvoj-z.html">the head of Russia's Artistic Gymnastics Federation.</a>Titov appeared to suggest that Kuliak was only facing punishment because he violated uniform rules."It was a violation of the uniform approved by the FIG. I think that they can punish," he said, before noting that one punishment would be a ban.This, Titov said, wouldn't make a big difference given that Russian athletes were already banned from international competitions as of Monday."They can also remove us from participation. But we were already removed," he said.Kuliak's appearance on Sunday was the final opportunity for gymnasts from Russia and Belarus — a Russian ally and key staging area for Russian forces — to compete in international events after their countries were banned from competing in FIG and FIG-sanctioned competition as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The FIG also canceled events taking place in Russia or Belarus until further notice.

Russian gymnast who drew fierce backlash for wearing a pro-war symbol said he'd do it again and appeared to blame his Ukrainian opponents

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The "Z" symbol has become synonymous with <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s invasion of <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>.</li><li>On Sunday, Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak displayed it on his chest while stood next to a Ukrainian athlete.</li></ul>Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak is being investigated by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) after he was pictured <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">wearing a "Z" symbol</a> as he stood on the podium next to a Ukrainian rival at an event in Qatar.Kuliak earned bronze in the parallel bars final at the Apparatus World Cup on Saturday and displayed the contentious symbol, which has been seen painted on the side of Russian tanks and military vehicles deployed to invade Ukraine. Supporters of the invasion have also been seen wearing the symbol.The 20 year-old was unable to wear the Russian flag as it had already been banned by the FIG.Illia Kovtun of Ukraine won gold in the event, with the two posing for a photos alongside Kazakhstan's silver medalist Milad Karimi afterwards. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500169855198281729">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Arnesa Buljušmić-Kustura (@Rrrrnessa) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1499914605791002624">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote>The FIG said Sunday it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak for his "shocking behavior.""The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against male artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar," said a statement. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner">The FIG told The Guardian</a> that Kuliak could lose his bronze medal as a result of hus action and that he could receive a ban for an "unspecified duration."Sunday was the final opportunity for gymnasts from Russia and Belarus, which has been a key staging area for Russian forces, to compete in international events after their countries were banned by the FIG as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.From Monday, Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials will not be allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions.Events taking place in Russia or Belarus have also been cancelled by the FIG until further notice.Kuliak is not the only Russian gymnast to publicly support the invasion of Ukraine.Svetlana Khorkina, who won seven Olympic medals between 1996 and 2004, has also shared various photos including the "Z" symbol to her Instagram, including one with the caption: "A campaign for those who are not ashamed to be Russian."

A Russian gymnast wore the mysterious pro-war 'Z' symbol as he stood on the podium alongside a Ukrainian athlete who beat him

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Olympic gymnast Angelina Melnikova was seen holding the pro-war "Z" symbol at <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s <keyword id="13820831" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="victory-day-parade" source="Orion">Victory Day Parade</keyword>.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-victory-day-speech-doesnt-escalate-ukraine-war-west-warned-2022-5?_ga=2.195548268.1158842704.1652103180-1249907991.1561585654">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> used Monday's festivities to justify his country's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/even-if-russia-wins-in-donbas-it-already-lost-ukraine-2022-5">invasion of Ukraine</a>.</li></ul>A highly accomplished Russian Olympian was spotted posing with the pro-war "Z" symbol at Monday's Victory Day Parade.Angelina Melnikova — the gymnast who won team gold at the Tokyo <keyword id="11896183" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="olympics" source="Orion">Olympics</keyword> before earning individual bronze medals in the all-around and floor exercise — attended the festivities in Moscow, which annually commemorates Russia's victory over the Nazis in World War II. This year, the celebrations doubled as a pro-war rally and a chance for President <keyword id="11899444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vladimir-putin" source="Orion">Vladimir Putin</keyword> to justify his country's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/even-if-russia-wins-in-donbas-it-already-lost-ukraine-2022-5">invasion of Ukraine</a>.<div type="image" title="Angelina Melnikova." height="1665" width="2221" msid="91448114" hostid="261"></div>The 21-year-old posed alongside Russian military veterans and looked upon the Red Square processions, according to photos and videos she posted on her Instagram story. In one such post, Melnikova can be seen holding a red paper with a gold "Z" — which has become <a href="https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3">synonymous with Russia's invasion of Ukraine</a> — while standing next to an older man in his military uniform.<div type="image" title="Melnikova posted a photo of herself holding the pro-war &quot;Z&quot; symbol at Russia's Victory Day parade." height="1542" width="900" msid="91448116" hostid="261"></div>The star gymnast is far from the first Russian athlete seen publicly supporting Russia's invasion of <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> since the war began. Svetlana Khorkina, who won seven Olympic medals between 1996 and 2004, has also shared various photos including the "Z" symbol to her Instagram, including one with the caption: "A campaign for those who are not ashamed to be Russian."And after winning bronze on the parallel bars at the 2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Qatar, fellow gymnast <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">Ivan Kuliak wore a "Z" on his chest</a> while standing on the podium next to a Ukrainian rival. The International Gymnastics Federation subsequently opened an investigation into Kuliak's "shocking behavior," but the 20-year-old blamed his Ukrainian opponents for the move and said <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-defends-display-pro-war-z-would-do-again-2022-3">he'd do it again</a> if he had the chance.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500169855198281729">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote>Russian athletes have already faced repercussions for their government's actions. Governing bodies and top competitions across the <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> world have banned Russian and Belarusian hopefuls from participating in major events, including <a href="https://www.insider.com/wimbledon-bars-russian-athletes-from-competing-in-june-2022-4">Wimbledon</a>, the <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-banned-olympics-over-ukraine-war-2022-2">Olympics</a>, the World Cup, the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/04/07/1091438505/boston-marathon-russia-belarus-ban">Boston Marathon</a>, and more.Whether stars like Melnikova will encounter further backlash for their support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains to be seen.

A Russian gymnastics gold-medalist posed with the pro-war 'Z' symbol at Putin's Victory Day Parade

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Russian esports player drew the letter "Z" during a Dota 2 game on Saturday, <a href="https://sg.news.yahoo.com/virtus-pro-disqualified-dota-2-major-qualifier-player-z-russia-034429159.html">Yahoo reported.</a></li><li>Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko drew the "Z" in a game against a team that had Ukrainian players, Yahoo said.</li></ul>A Russian esports team was expelled from a tournament after one of its players drew a "Z" symbol in a game against a team including Ukrainian players, <a href="https://sg.news.yahoo.com/virtus-pro-disqualified-dota-2-major-qualifier-player-z-russia-034429159.html">Yahoo News reported.</a>The incident occurred on Saturday during a Dota 2 qualifying game for the ESL One Stockholm Major, <a href="https://www.esl-one.com/dpc/#:~:text=Prize%20Pool%20%26%20DPC%20Points&amp;text=A%20Major%20is%20an%20elimination,DPC%20Points%20and%20cash%20prizes.">an elimination-style tournament</a> that is set to run from May 20 to May 22 in Stockholm, Sweden.The Russian team Virtus Pro (competing under the name Outsiders) was playing a semifinal match against Mind Games, a team that includes two Ukrainian players, according to Yahoo <keyword id="11893589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news" source="Orion">News</keyword>. During a break in the game, one of Virtus Pro's players, Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko, appeared to draw the letter "Z" on the game's minimap with a pink highlighter, Yahoo News reported.A video of the incident was recorded and <a href="https://twitter.com/KoTHunt/status/1520048250795003905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520048250795003905%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fkotaku.com%2Fembed%2Finset%2Fiframe%3Fid%3Dtwitter-1520048250795003905autosize%3D1">shared on social media</a>. It shows Moskalenko's pink pen drawing the "Z" in the left-hand corner before his teammates quickly scribble over it, Yahoo reported.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Vitalii Volochai #StandWithUkraine (@v1lat) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1520010253156368384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2022</a></blockquote>The "Z" has become a symbol of support for the Russian invasion of <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>. It was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/videos-russian-military-tanks-move-donbas-seen-donetsk-putin-invade-2022-2">first spotted</a> emblazoned on Russian military vehicles rolling into Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region two days before the war began.In a video posted by Virtus Pro after the incident, Moskalenko said he drew the "Z" on the map "by accident.""There was a long pause in the game. The guys and I were talking and drawing on the minimap. When we realized what exactly my drawing turned out to be, we tried to cover it up," Moskalenko said in the video."I didn't mean to offend anyone, it hall happened by accident. Peace to all," he added. Moskalenko and the rest of Virtus Pro's roster have all been disqualified from the ESL One Stockholm Major, Beyond The Summit Dota <a href="https://twitter.com/BTSdota/status/1520136181844905984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520136181844905984%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fkotaku.com%2Fembed%2Finset%2Fiframe%3Fid%3Dtwitter-1520136181844905984autosize%3D1">announced Saturday.</a><a href="https://virtus.pro/en/articles/virtuspro-rastorgaet-kontrakt-s-pure">In a statement</a> published on Saturday, Virtus Pro said they terminated Moskalenko's contract but described the backlash of the incident as "shocking.""The severity of the punishment is shocking. Valve has a certain history of imposing disciplinary measures, but disqualifying the whole team from a DPC tournament based on a drawing on a minimap by single-player sets up a whole new precedent," the statement said.<div type="image" title="Ivan Kuliak" height="990" width="1980" msid="91291988" hostid="261"></div>Since <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s invasion of Ukraine, there have been a number of incidents involving Russian athletes making pro-war gestures.Last month, for instance, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) <a href="https://www.insider.com/russia-olympian-evgeny-rylov-banned-swimming-attended-pro-war-rally-2022-4">banned Russian swimmer</a> Evgeny Rylov from the sport after he was spotted attending a rally in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine.During the rally, the 25-year-old swimmer appeared on stage wearing his Olympic medals and the "Z" symbol.Elsewhere, in March, <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-gymnast-wears-pro-war-symbol-next-ukrainian-2022-3">Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore the symbol on his chest</a> during a podium ceremony at an event won by a Ukrainian athlete, while <a href="https://www.insider.com/russian-karting-champion-15-appears-to-perform-nazi-salute-podium-2022-4">teenage kart racer Artem Severiukhin sparked outrage</a> by displaying an apparent Nazi salute after winning a European championship race.

A Russian esports team was disqualified from a tournament after one of its players drew a 'Z' symbol in a game against Ukrainian opponents

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new emblem has surfaced in the Ukraine-Russia conflict: a "Z," stylized in a thick brushstroke.</li><li>The "Z" was spotted on Russian tanks invading <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> and painted on the sides of military vehicles.</li></ul>A new <keyword id="13324691" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="symbol" source="Orion">symbol</keyword> of <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword>'s war against Ukraine has emerged — a white "Z" emblem, stylized in a thick brushstroke. It has found its way onto the signs and t-shirts of ultra-right, pro-Russian protesters, been painted on Russian tanks and military vehicles, and been worn as a show of support for Russia's invasion.In the past several weeks, the "Z" has gone from a military marking to a potent symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And there are signs that Russian nationalist groups have co-opted the mark as well. <h2>The emblem was first spotted on Russian tanks in February</h2><div type="image" title="Service members of pro-Russian troops in uniforms without insignia are seen atop of a tank with the letter &quot;Z&quot; painted on its sides in the separatist-controlled settlement of Buhas (Bugas), as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 1, 2022." height="3104" width="4139" msid="90046501" hostid="261"></div>The "Z" symbol was first spotted <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/videos-russian-military-tanks-move-donbas-seen-donetsk-putin-invade-2022-2">on February 22, emblazoned on Russian military vehicles rolling into Ukraine's Donetsk region.</a>Twitter commenters <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/02/23/russian-tanks-with-mysterious-z-marking-enter-ukraine/">speculated</a> that the "Z" symbols, which appeared on tanks framed by squares, triangles, and other painted shapes, could be a way to <a href="https://twitter.com/ralee85/status/1495144942410285065">delineate infantries</a>.Kamil Galeev, a former Galina Starovoitova Fellow on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at the policy think tank the Wilson Center, tweeted that some interpreted the "Z" as short for "za pobedy" — the Russian term for "victory." Others have guessed the "Z" is short for "zapad" (or west) and is meant to designate west-bound infantry.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500495743425159168">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>The meaning of the symbol has yet to be confirmed by Russian military sources. <h2>A symbol of Russian nationalism and a rallying cry in support of Putin</h2><div type="image" title="A tank with the symbol &quot;Z&quot; painted on its side is seen in the separatist-controlled village of Bugas during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 6, 2022" height="2172" width="2896" msid="90046505" hostid="261"></div>Despite <a href="https://www.russlandjournal.de/en/learn-russian/russian-alphabet/">the letter "Z" not being in the Cyrillic Russian alphabet,</a> the letter appears to have woven itself into the broader Russian wartime narrative. Cars were spotted around Russia emblazoned with the "Z" logo, and businesses have also co-opted the symbol. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500497183082176512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>On March 4, <a href="https://exit.al/en/2022/03/05/thousands-of-pro-russian-protestors-march-in-belgrade/">a crowd of pro-Russian far-right Serbian protesters marching in Belgrade</a> waved signs decorated with the "Z." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500551492218109952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>Similarly, a group of Russian nationalist protesters in Leningrad were filmed wearing hoodies emblazoned with a white "Z" along with the words "We don't give up our own." It is unclear when the video was taken, but it surfaced on social media in the first week of March.The slogan echoed false Russian propagandist claims that the invasion is meant to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-tries-justifying-ukraine-war-denazification-zelensky-jewish-president-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"liberate" and "de-Nazify" Ukraine</a> — an independently-governed democracy led by a Jewish president.<h2>On Sunday, a Russian gymnast appeared at a medal ceremony with a "Z" taped to his uniform</h2>Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner?utm_term=Autofeed&amp;CMP=twt_gu&amp;utm_medium&amp;utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1646615509">taped a "Z" symbol on the front of his uniform</a> while accepting a medal at the gymnastics World Cup in Doha on Sunday. He came in third, behind Ukraine's Illia Kovtun, who came in first. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Denis Kazakiewicz (@Den_2042) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1500536068273229834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>The International Gymnastics Federation has called on the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner">to investigate Kuliak's actions.</a>Pro-Putin figures <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10579901/Pro-Putin-politicians-influencers-wear-clothes-bearing-letter-Z.html">also donned the symbol</a>. Maria Butina, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-spy-maria-butina-new-parliament-seat-not-a-reward-2021-11">a convicted Russian spy</a> and current member of the Russian State Duma, was seen in a video removing her blazer and drawing a "Z" on her lapel. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Francis Scarr (@francska1) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1499289678868058112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-updates-russia-ukraine-crisis-2022-2">Insider's live blog of the Russian invasion</a> is covering developments as they happen.

You Searched For "ivan kuliak" and got 9 results

Decision to ban Russian gymnast who wore the pro-war 'Z' symbol, while standing on the podium with a Ukrainian, is 'completely lawless,' Moscow official says

Will Martin

Many supposedly 'neutral' Russian Olympic athletes have cheered on the invasion of Ukraine, rights group says

Mia Jankowicz

Russian gymnast who wore pro-war symbol while stood next to Ukrainian rival has appealed the lengthy ban he was hit with

Barnaby Lane

A Russian gymnast who wore pro-war 'Z' symbol at a competition has been barred for a year and ordered to return his medal

Alexandra Ma

Russian gymnast who drew fierce backlash for wearing a pro-war symbol said he'd do it again and appeared to blame his Ukrainian opponents

Will Martin,Barnaby Lane

A Russian gymnast wore the mysterious pro-war 'Z' symbol as he stood on the podium alongside a Ukrainian athlete who beat him

Barnaby Lane

A Russian gymnastics gold-medalist posed with the pro-war 'Z' symbol at Putin's Victory Day Parade

Meredith Cash

A Russian esports team was disqualified from a tournament after one of its players drew a 'Z' symbol in a game against Ukrainian opponents

Sophia Ankel

Decoding the 'Z' the mysterious Russian military symbol that's been co-opted by Russia's nationalist movement

Cheryl Teh