Ivan Kuliak

2022 World Cup controversy In March 2022, Kuliak wore a "Z" sticker on his chest during the medal ceremony of the parallel bars competition at the 2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series in Doha. "Z", a letter which is not part of the Cyrillic alphabet, is a tactical marking used by Russian invading forces in Ukraine. Thus, it has become a pro-war symbol. Kuliak displayed the symbol while standing on the podium next to a Ukrainian athlete, Illia Kovtun, who won the event. The FIG prior to the competitions decided to exclude Russian athletes from the competitions, but the prohibition only entered in force on 7 March.

On 6 March the FIG announced that they will ask the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to open disciplinary proceedings against Kuliak. In a subsequent interview, on Tuesday 8 March, Kuliak said that he had no regrets and would "do exactly the same". On 18 March, he appeared at the 2022 Moscow rally wearing an Olympic medal, though he has not competed in the Olympics.

On 17 May the FIG sanctioned Kuliak with a one-year ban, ending 17 May 2023 or six months after the ban on Russian athletes is lifted and ruled that he is to be stripped of his bronze medal and prize money.

On 14 September it was announced that Kuliak's appeal against his suspension was partially upheld. The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) Appeal Tribunal found that the one-year sanctions should be independent from measures preventing Russian gymnasts from competing at FIG events. This means his suspension would last until May 16, 2023.

Competitive history Pommel horse exercise during the boys' training at the 1st FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships on the morning of 26 June 2019.

Year Event Team AAFXPHSRVTPBHB Junior 2014 Olympic Hopes Russia 2015 Hope of Russia 5 6 Olympic Hopes Russia 5 4 Youth Spartakiad 5 8 7 7 Kaluga Region Governor's Cup 2016 Youth Spartakiad 7 4 4 4 4 Kaluga Region Governor's Cup 2017 Central Federal Championships 6 8 Russian Junior Championships (CMS) 4 11 5 8 Prize of the Olympic Champion A. Nemov 8 Youth Spartakiad 4 15 8 8 Kaluga Region Governor's Cup 2018 Central Federal Championships 5 Russian Junior Championships 6 7 6 Summer Youth Spartakiad 6 4 10 6 Sport School Championships 7 Voronin Junior Cup 5 2019 Russian Junior Championships 7 7 5 Hope of Russia Memorial Erminio Visconti Junior World Championships 9 11 7 Euro Youth Olympic Festival 5 7 7 5 Central Federal Championships Senior 2020 Central Federal Championships 5 2021 Central Federal Championships 6 National Championships 5 8 7 5 Russian Cup 12 Kaluga Region Governor's Cup 7 72022 Doha World Cup DQ National Championships 7