“They’re Ukrainians.” A real pinnacle of insolence. Kuliak explains the shameful gesture

. Ivan Kuliak took third place, and after the competition, he stood on the podium in a T-shirt with the letters “Z” on his chest. Kuliak’s behavior was all the more scandalous that on his left – on the top step of the podium – the state of Ilya Kovtun. However, this did not prevent the Russian from proudly presenting the sign that would become a symbol of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

For Kuliak, it was the last chance for a political demonstration, because the gymnastics federation decided that the next competitions in Cairo and Baku would not include athletes from Russia and Belarus. The International Gymnastic Federation (FIG) is also quick to institute disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak himself, who now explains why he entered the podium wearing a Z-shirt and knocked everything against the Ukrainians.

“Ukrainians asked to be removed from the competition”

– The idea came after we saw how the Ukrainians communicate with us. They behaved very ugly, shouting “Chwaa Ukraine” during the competition – said Kuliak in Russia Today, in the Kremlin propaganda tube.

– First of all, we were frustrated that the Ukrainians asked us to be removed from the competition, although we did not do anything wrong to anyone. We came to the show, but we didn’t know until the last moment if we would get to the finals – adds Kuliak.

. – It was his private initiative. Our men are Russian patriots. Apparently it’s a play in him. I think he’ll do everything right. Why do they always try to present us as aggressors, murderers, etc. They say how unhappy they are, and we remain silent – said the head coach of the Russian team, Valentina Rodionenko, on Sunday.

“Lifetime punishment for disgraceful provocation”

. The Polish minister of sport even sent a letter to the International Gymnastics Federation on this matter.

“The scandalous behavior of the Russian athlete Ivan Kuliyak during the World Gymnastic Championships in Doha clearly shows that international sports competitions can become an arena for Putin’s propaganda. The athlete’s shameful gesture contradicts not only the fundamental values ​​of the world of sport, but has also been used as a very specific tool , unworthy of an athlete to legitimize the war in Ukraine. I warned against such situations from the very beginning of the Russian armed attack on Ukraine “- writes Bortuniczuk in the letter he reached.

“I appreciate the decision of the International Gymnastics Federation to exclude Russian athletes and activists from participating in the next FIG competitions, but time has shown that it was made too late. At the same time, I call on FIG to issue a lifelong disqualification for Ivan Kuliak, because only such disciplinary punishment will be appropriate. being strict and at the same time will act as a deterrent “- appeals Bortniczuk.