In an interview with Russia Today, the 20-year-old gymnast was asked if he regretted his action, and the state broadcaster must have liked the answer: “Under no circumstance”said Kulyak. “If I were given the opportunity again and faced with the question of whether or not to show up with a ‘Z’ on my chest – I would do it again the same way.“
Kuljak: “The symbol stands for victory and for peace”
In the interview from which the Guardians quoted, Kuljak also indicated that it was a deliberate political action. “I saw the symbol in our military and did some research on what it stands for. It stands for victory, and for peace“said Kuljak, who had himself trained at Russian army facilities last year.”I don’t wish anything bad on anyone, I just made my point clear“, said Kuljak, before his explanations drifted into the grotesque: “As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and gymnastics for peace.”
Gymnast Kuljak with Z symbol at the award ceremony
At the World Cup in Doha, Kuljak caused a scandal last Sunday (03/06/2022). At the award ceremony for the decision on parallel bars, the 20-year-old wore a “Z” on his jersey instead of the coat of arms as a sign of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Kuliak was third on parallel bars with 14,533 points. Winner on this apparatus was the Ukrainian Ilya Kovtun with 15.166 points. Both athletes shared the podium with second-placed Kazakh Milad Karimi (14.566). Before the award ceremony, Kuliak stuck a “Z” on his jersey.
Part of Russian war propaganda
The “Z” symbol was first spotted on Russian military vehicles advancing towards Ukraine, but subsequently became more widespread. It is now used and sighted in many places in Russia, as part of Russian wartime propaganda, and has now also been officially designated a symbol of “victory” by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The world gymnastics association FIG spoke of “shocking behavior” and announced on Sunday evening that disciplinary measures would be taken against Kuljak. The ethics committee of the world association should open disciplinary proceedings, and the Russian gymnast faces a long ban.
World Gymnastics Federation late with sanctions against Russia and Belarus
The World Gymnastics Federation last Friday tightened sanctions against Russia and Belarus because of the war in Ukraine, but with delayed effect. Athletes from both nations are therefore no longer allowed to participate in gymnastics events under the sovereignty of the FIG. The same applies to officials and referees. In addition, the world association had canceled all World Cups and World Challenge Cups planned in Russia and Belarus and determined that no new events would be awarded to the two countries for the time being.
However, the exclusion came too late for the ongoing World Cup in Doha. Immediately after Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the world association initially only decided that the flags of Russia and Belarus should not be shown and their anthems not played. And thus also prepares a stage for the Russian gymnast Kuljak – and his war symbolism.
Source: red/dpa