Last month, Russia’s Ivan Kuliak was sanctioned for a year by the Disciplinary Commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) for wearing a Russian pro-war symbol on his chest at the Doha World Cup. Per the terms of his suspension, he is “not allowed to participate in any FIG-sanctioned event or competition organized by an affiliated FIG member federation for one year”. If Russian athletes are still banned from international competitions in May 2023, Kuliak’s suspension will continue and will expire half a year after the ban on Russian athletes’ is lifted.
Kuliak’s punishment is not that severe considering the fact that Russian athletes cannot compete internationally anyway. While awaiting GEF’s decision, Valentina Rodionenko said as much:
“I’ll tell you honestly, even if Russia will be allowed [to compete internationally], Vanya will not yet be making teams for Euros or Worlds, he’s not ready for that. That’s why we’re not afraid even of a year-long disqualification. We fear that the ban will be lifelong.”
Kuliak’s actions made him infamous all over the world and very popular in Russia. The newly-found fame led to sponsorship contracts and appearances. The federation and individual gymnasts expressed support for him and his actions. Rodionenko said:
“He is supported by all the athletes. Whatever happened happened. He announced his stance. We are very happy that our youth reacts to the situation in the country this way.”
After the suspension was announced, Kuliak was honored at a meeting with Kaluga region’s governor and the local government promised to help him pay back the prize money and the cost of the proceedings to the FIG. Kaluga’s governor Vladislav Shapsha told Kuliak: “Your open stance in support of our guys [soldiers] which they really need now makes me proud of all Russian athletes. It’s a brave step.”
The suspension clearly states that Kuliak is not allowed to compete in any events organized by FIG member federations and the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation is still an FIG member. However, it appears that the federation has decided to ignore the suspension when it comes to national competitions.
When the suspension was announced, Valentina Rodionenko claimed that it does not affect Kuliak’s ability to compete internally:
“They tried to forbid Kuliak from competing at national competitions but we said “no”. He will compete there. The FIG has no right to interfere with our internal regulations.”
Last week, the federation published the rosters for the upcoming Russian Cup in Kaluga (Kuliak’s home town) and Kuliak is on the list.
Valentina Rodionenko confirmed today that this was not a mistake:
“Ivan Kuliak can compete at Russian competitions. In particular, he is listed for the Russian Cup in Kaluga where he will compete. This [also] concerns the Spartakiade and further Russian competitions. We told the International Gymnastics Federation they are not in charge of our internal calendars and their sanctions do not apply to our own competitions. Kuliak will compete.”
Gymnovosti reached out to the FIG for an official comment regarding Kuliak’s participation at Russian national competitions. Per Alex McLin, the director of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation, “[a]s the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation is an affiliated member of the FIG, the competitions it organizes are, per the language of the decision, included in the ban.”
The Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation seems intent on defying this decision and it will be interesting to see how the FIG will deal with this situation. If they let Russia get away with it, this creates precedent for other suspended athletes, for examples, those banned for doping violations, to compete at national competitions. This could also potentially undermine the status of the Ethics Foundation and its ability to sanction FIG members.
Shame on RGF.
Hopefully FIG finds out and increases Kuliak’s suspension or puts consequences in place on RGF.
At this point, all governing bodies need to ban Russia indefinitely not only for the current war happening, but also because they are constantly cheating in sports, and do whatever they feel like doing because they are Russia.