Russian artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak was banned from competition for one year on Tuesday by the International Gymnastics Federation for displaying a pro-war letter "Z" during a competition in March.
The letter "Z" has been painted on Russian tanks and streets since the invasion of Ukraine began and has symbolized support for the war. Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, continue to refer to the war as a "special military operation."
The 20-year-old Kuliak won the bronze medal in the parallel bars at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, Qatar – where he displayed the letter on the medal podium on his leotard as he stood next to Ukrainian gold medalist Illia Kovtun.