Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has caused an uproar on the World Cup circuit, with his outrageous support for his nation's invasion of Ukraine on the medal rostrum.
Competing at the latest round of competition at Doha, the former Russian junior champion finished third in parallel bars, behind Ukrainian winner Illia Kovtun and accepted his bronze medal with a 'Z' taped to his singlet.
The 'Z' stands for 'za pobedy' (for victory) and is also painted on Russian tanks crossing the border into the former Soviet state, hostility that has drawn worldwide condemnation from international sporting bodies.
The International Gymnastics Federation has resolved to ban Russian athletes from its competitions, but that ban was due to begin after the Doha event. The FIG has asked its Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to begin proceedings against Kuliak, 20.
Kotun, 18, is a world, European and world junior medallist.
