Ukranian gymnast Oleg Verniaiev spoke out against Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who wore the symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine...
Ukranian gymnast Oleg Verniaiev spoke out against Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who wore the symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on his chest while competing at the 2022 Doha World Cup.
"Of course, you will excuse me, but let the Russians not shout that sport is out of politics!" Verniaiev wrote on Instagram. "Congratulations to our guy, everything is in its place Glory to Ukraine."
The letter Z is believed to be a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has been spotted on Russian war vehicles in Ukraine.
Kuliak competed at the parallel bars final in Doha, where he won a bronze medal.
The 20 year old gymnast shared the podium with Ukrainian gymnast and gold medalist Illia Kovtun.
It is said that Kuliak has previously received military training.
Olympic and World champion Svetlana Khorkina and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Ivan Stretovich have also posted the symbol on their Instagram Story.
Verniaiev is the 2016 Olympic champion on the parallel bars, and a World and three time European champion on the event.
He is currently serving a four year suspension after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium in August 2020.
The Ukrainian gymnast has denied wrongdoing and said that he will appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Photo: Silvia Vatteroni
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