Ivan Kuljak returned to the Games.
Russian gymnast Ivan Kulyak21, caused a scandal when she stood at the World Cup finals awards ceremony with the letter Z on her chest in March last year in Doha.
The highest podium in the same competition was held by Ukraine Illia Kovtun. Russia had expanded its war of aggression in Ukraine only a month before, and with the war, the letter Z began to be generally regarded as a symbol supporting the war.
The International Gymnastics Federation FIG banned Kuljak for a year. In addition, Kuljak also had to return the bronze medal he won and almost 500 euros in prize money.
Kuljak returned to the games last weekend at the Russian championships and finished third.
– This story has made me stronger, mentally and physically. The support has been colossal and I get a lot of support from home, comments Kuljak According to Sport24.
The Russian Sport-Express according to Kuljak is now aiming for next summer’s Paris Olympics.
Kuljak did not regret his behavior after the World Cup uproar, but defended taping the Z symbol to his chest.
– They asked to cover the ticket and I did so. I just wanted to show where I’m from. Z symbolizes victory and peace, the man told Sport.ru in March.
– The idea came from when I saw how the Ukrainians behaved towards us. They were yelling at us and asking us out of the competition, it was frustrating, Kuljak said.