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The International Gymnastics Federation announced on Sunday March 6 that it had asked its ethical foundation to open a disciplinary investigation into a Russian gymnast, who displayed on the podium of a World Cup event a sign linked to the Russian offensive in Ukraine. According to several media, the Russian 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 “Z” instead of the flag of his country. The letter “Z” has 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 March 7, recalls the federation. 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.
