There is no remorse for the Russian gymnast who was discredited on Sunday by wearing the controversial Z symbol at the coronation ceremony. “I would do it again in a heartbeat,” says Evan Koelek.
Culliac won the bronze medal at the World Cup for Parallel Bars in Doha on Sunday. When his medal was presented, the 20-year-old had a Z symbol pinned to his chest. In Russia, this letter is considered a symbol of supporters of the invasion of Ukraine.
Yesterday, the FIG World Gymnastics Association launched an investigation into the incident. The statement said the Gymnastics Federation was reacting strongly to Kolyak’s “shocking behaviour”. It was very interesting that the controversial Russian with the symbol Z was on the podium alongside Ukrainian winner Ilya Kovtuyn.
I checked what the letter Z stands for
Kolyak has absolutely no regrets. Today he says, “I’ll do it again in a heartbeat” Russia Today† “We were told to cover our flag. I saw the symbol on the Russian soldiers and checked what it meant: “victory” and “peace.”
“You should have seen how annoying the Ukrainian athletes are for us,” Koulyak chose the trip to the front. They started this political game. They wore their flags around their shoulders and chanted “Glory to Ukraine” on stage. It’s illegal under the rules, but no one said anything about it.”
Koelek won’t be able to repeat himself anytime soon. While he was allowed to participate under a neutral flag on Sunday, all Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials have been banned from international gymnastics competitions since yesterday. FIG’s investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
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