His head has gone around the world.
But more than his blonde spool, it was the letter on the chest of Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak that caught the eye.
He had a Z in place of his federation's logo during the Gymnastics World Cup which was held in Doha (Qatar) this weekend.
This Z was an open and assumed support for the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops.
Bronze medalist in the parallel bars event, Kuliak proudly displayed his position as the event was won by Ukraine's Kovtun Illia.
This symbol Z can be found for almost 2 weeks on Russian tanks.
It means in the eyes of Moscow "For victory" (за победу, pronounced za pobegou).
Some Russians also read it “For peace” (за мир, za mir).
Russian Ivan Kuliak wore the letter Z on his chest during the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Doha.
The Z is reportedly a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
(Kuliak won bronze in parallel bars. Ukraine's Kovtun Illia won gold.)https://t.co/iZ1Kb5RIUq pic.twitter.com/Qi6wGHMGHO
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 5, 2022
On his Telegram messenger, this Tuesday morning, the gymnast from Obninsk, two hours by road from the center of Moscow, explained his gesture without regretting it, blaming the origin of the fault on the Ukrainian gymnasts: "They started all this political movement, he wrote.
It was in response to this behavior that I showed up with this badge on my shirt.
The Ukrainians were wrapped in their flag and they shouted “Glory to Ukraine” on the podium.
According to the rules of the competition, it was not allowed, but no one told them.
They also demanded that we Russians be excluded even though we hadn't said or done anything against anyone.
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For his gesture, Kuliak, who participated under a neutral flag, received the support of the president of the Russian Gymnastics Federation: “We were told to cover our flag.
That's what I did, continues the gymnast.
The organizers had already banned everything that was possible.
I just wanted to show where I am from, that's all and nothing more.
I have never been afraid of the consequences and I mean no harm to anyone.
This 'Z' sign stands for 'for victory' and 'for peace'.
Ukrainian athletes treated us badly.
You had to see it to believe it.
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The interpretation obviously belongs to him.
It is true that during this tournament nothing was done either to clarify the situation.
The International Gymnastics Federation first tried to find crossroads so as not to upset anyone.
She imposed that the flags and any ostentatious acronym against or in favor of the Russians or the Ukrainians be removed.
But she forgot to remove the initials of Russia and its ally Belarus in front of the names of the gymnasts concerned.
She announced, however, after Kuliak's gesture, that gymnasts, coaches, judges and officials from both countries are excluded from all other competitions until further notice.
The FIG also condemned the "shocking behavior" of the Russian gymnast, who risks a long ban from competition.