Russian Gymnast Who Put War Symbol "Z" On His Sporting Costume Banned From Competing For A Year. He Will Return Medal And Prize.

In March, Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak caused upheaval during medal ceremony in Doha by sticking the war symbol "Z" onto his sporting costume. The disciplinary committee of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) has imposed a penalty in the form of a year-long ban of activity. International Gymnastics Federation has informed about this on their website. 

Violation of rules

20-year-old Ivan Kuliak ranked third in the competition at the time, behind the gold winner from Ukraine Ilja Kovtun and silver gymnast from Kazakhstan. When standing on the podium, the letter "Z" was clearly visible on Kuliak's sporting costume. 

It is symbolically used as a military sign for victory and is painted on the front side of tanks and other military vehicles of Vladimir Putin. 

Kuliak has therefore, according to the disciplinary committee, broken a few documents including the FIG by-laws, the disciplinary and ethical codex and technical rules. He has now received a punishment in the form of a ban of activity. He may not take part in any event under FIG or their associate organizations. He must also return the bronze medal he won in March. He will also lose the financial prize of 500 Swiss franks and he will cover a contribution to the costs of the hearing of 2000 franks. He will therefore lose out on a total of almost 2500 euros. He may appeal against the decision for up to 21 days. 

No violation of rules was found by the federation in regard to the leader of Russian delegation Valentina Rodionenko and the coach Igor Kalabushkin.