The letter Z, which symbolically represents 'victory' in Russian, is daubed on to the front of Vladimir Putin's tanks and other military vehicles.
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has stirred a massive public outrage after sporting a pro-war 'Z' symbol on his shirt while sharing the podium with Ukrainian rival Illia Kovtun, the gold medallist at the Gymnastics World Cup event in Doha.
The 'Z", a letter that does not exist in the Cyrillic Russian alphabet, has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolise support for the invasion.
Russia's Kuliak, a former all-around and floor national junior champion, bagged the bronze medal on Saturday. As the gymnasts were pictured standing shoulder to shoulder to collect their medals, clearly visible was a letter 'Z' taped across the middle of Kuliak's shirt.
The Z on his shirt was in place of the Russian flag, been banned by the International Gymnastics Federation, which has also cancelled all events in Russia and Belarus.
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Following this shocking behaviour, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced that Kuliak would face disciplinary action for his behaviour.
"The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) confirms that it will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Ivan Kuliak following his shocking behaviour at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar," a statement from the ruling body said.
According to reports, 20-year-old Kuliak received military training with the Russian army last year. Kuliak's shocking gesture has sparked a massive social media outrage, with several pro-Ukraine supporters calling for a ban on the gymnast.
Here's a loook at some of the reactions:
This young gymnast who can’t be very bright by not understanding / respecting the spirit of sport, should at least be revoked his medal! As so many he’s completely misled by the pic.twitter.com/Zbl5jwHYgT
— Ben Michael (@Ben2Michael)The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said it will open disciplinary proceedings against Russian artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak for his “shocking behaviour” in displaying 'Z' - the symbol of Putin facism. They should suspend Russia immediately and give Kuliak a long ban. pic.twitter.com/zxAUmHqbLE
— King Trevor (@Trevorius)There is no difference between this pic and when Russian Ivan Kuliak wore the letter Z on his chest during the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha https://t.co/8uaP4BGidG pic.twitter.com/kYVnMJP6cY
— уніятка🇺🇦JaveLina | church Jisoolo (@JaveLinaLyuta)Russian Ivan Kuliak wore the letter Z on his chest during the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha.
The Z is reportedly a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Kuliak won bronze in parallel bars. Ukraine's Kovtun Illia won gold.)https://t.co/iZ1Kb5RIUq pic.twitter.com/Qi6wGHMGHO
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore 'Z' symbol at the World Cup in Doha yesterday to show his support for the war in Ukraine.
That's not only Putin is a terrorist and a murderer. This is almost the whole country. Terrorist country. Do not be naive. pic.twitter.com/PlAXPSCKgj
If this little s*hit is so proud of his mad dictator, why isn´t he fighting in Ukraine? Starving and freezing like the Russian soldiers, who don´t even know what they are fighting for. Pathetic, Ivan Kuliak, pathetic. Ukraine won the gold medal anyway. https://t.co/W1yqLvqSH6
— Wolfman (@Wolfman89476101)For those of you asking, why are sport organizations kicking out from competitions? This is why. They are subhuman monsters just like their mafia boss.
Middle: Illia Kovtun - Ukraine - winner
Right - wearing the Z symbol - Ivan Kuliak from Russia, Putin slave pic.twitter.com/CNVa00tZuG
Russian military vehicles in Ukraine. Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak receiving bronze medal (he was standing beside Ukrainian who took gold). Terminally ill children with parents used by Russian propaganda to show their support for the invasion. pic.twitter.com/0tkzhUOpyx
— Tadpolesperspective (@Tadpolesview)Much respect to Illia Kovtun🇺🇦
Shame on you Ivan Kuliak ☠️ https://t.co/24POgnMvQf
Hey Ivan Kuliak, go f*** yourself 🖕🏼. I’m glad Illia Kovtun won 🙌🏼🇺🇦 https://t.co/AtD4d0Pm3X
— natalie 💙💛 (@Natalie_GroMdz)Ivan Kuliak should never be allowed to compete again.
what a fascist germ. https://t.co/Eve9ikXcpm
Pro-Putin politicians, activists and influencers have also been seen wearing clothes and badges with the letter 'Z' on top to show their support for the war. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry had issued a statement saying that 'Z' means victory.
Russia's invasion has been condemned around the world, sent more than 1.5 million Ukrainians fleeing abroad, and triggered sweeping Western-led sanctions aimed at crippling the Russian economy.
Also read: My people would rather die than give up, says Man City's Ukrainian star Zinchenko