Ivan Kuliak was banned for one 12 months after taking to the rostrum with a ‘Z’ image on his leotard
Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak can count on to study in mid-September whether or not his enchantment in opposition to a one-year ban has been profitable, an official has mentioned. Kuliak is protesting the suspension he was handed after showing on the rostrum of a World Cup occasion with a ‘Z’ image connected to his leotard.
The Appeals Tribunal of the Gymnastics Ethics Basis (GEF) held hearings on the case this week, the place Kuliak and the president of the Russian Inventive Gymnastics Federation, Vasily Titov, have been allowed to current their arguments.
“Hearings have been held yesterday. The choice will probably be introduced in a month. Ivan and I had the chance to state our place and clarify why we don’t agree with the choice that was made. There may be nothing to touch upon at this stage but,” Titov informed RIA Novosti Sport.
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Kuliak, 20, was banned from all competitions for one 12 months by world gymnastics federation the FIG again in March.
It was initially claimed by Russian officers that he would not less than proceed to take part in home occasions, though that call was later reversed for concern that Kuliak could possibly be additional sanctioned by the FIG.
The controversy stemmed from an Equipment World Cup occasion held in Doha, Qatar, again in March. Kuliak gained bronze within the parallel bars competitors, whereas Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun claimed gold.
Taking to the rostrum, Kuliak appeared with a ‘Z’ connected to his leotard. The image is utilized by Russian forces within the navy marketing campaign in Ukraine and is used as a present of assist by sections of the inhabitants at residence.
Kuliak later defined to RT that he and different Russian athletes on the occasion had confronted “provocation” from their Ukrainian rivals.
“Throughout performances they might shout ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ or exit on the rostrum wrapped within the nationwide flag whereas we have been thought-about impartial athletes, and due to this we felt uncomfortable,” mentioned the gymnast.
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Russian gymnast launches enchantment after Z image ban
“If there was a second probability and I might once more have to decide on whether or not to exit with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I might do precisely the identical,”Kuliak added.
“I didn’t want something dangerous on anybody, I simply confirmed [what] my place [was]. As an athlete, I’ll all the time battle for victory and stand for peace.”
Along with his ban, Kuliak was stripped of his medal, fined 500 Swiss francs (round $ 530) and ordered to pay 2,000 Swiss francs in direction of the prices of the proceedings in his case.
Veteran Russian gymnastics coach Valentina Rodionenko, who was on the occasion in Doha however was not punished by the FIG, additionally accused Ukrainian representatives of inflammatory habits.
“I need to say that I’ve by no means skilled such humiliation in my complete teaching profession,” Rodionenko mentioned in feedback shortly after the row emerged.
“In Qatar, they didn’t humiliate us, they humiliated our nation… I approached the FIG consultant and requested why the Ukrainians behaved like that, to which he replied that he may do nothing about it.”
