The International Gymnastics Federation announced on Sunday that it has asked its ethical foundation to open a disciplinary investigation into a Russian gymnast who displayed a sign on the podium of a World Cup event linked to the Russian offensive in Ukraine. “The International Gymnastics Federation confirms that it will ask its ethical foundation to open a disciplinary investigation into artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak (RUS) after his shocking behavior during the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha, Qatar“, writes the authority in a press release.
According to several media, Ivan Kuliak presented himself on the podium of the parallel bars event, for which he finished 3rd, behind the Ukrainian winner Illia Kovtun, with a jersey bearing the letter “WITHinstead of his country’s flag. The letter “WITHhas been seen on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and is interpreted as a symbol of support for the invasion.
In reaction to the attack on Ukraine by Russia, Russian and Belarusian gymnasts, officials and referees will no longer be able to participate in competitions organized by the FIG from Monday, the federation recalls in its press release. Last Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) notably recommended banning Russians and Belarusians from sports competitions, breaking with a long tradition of non-intervention in political or geopolitical debates.
