Gymnast Withdraws From Paris 2024 Olympics

Court of Arbitration for Sport Rejects Appeal, Upholds Suspension

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak withdraws from the 2024 Paris Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld his suspension.

Kuliak was provisionally suspended in March 2022 by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for wearing the letter "Z" on his singlet at a World Cup event in Doha, Qatar.

The "Z" has become a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kuliak appealed his suspension to the CAS, but the appeal was rejected on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The CAS panel found that Kuliak's actions were "a clear violation of the FIG's Code of Conduct" and that he had "brought the sport of gymnastics into disrepute."

Kuliak said he was "very disappointed" by the CAS decision.

"I believe that I did not violate any rules," Kuliak said in a statement.

"I was simply expressing my support for my country."

Kuliak's suspension means that he will not be able to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He is also banned from all other FIG-sanctioned events.

The FIG said in a statement that it "respects the decision of the CAS" and that it "will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the integrity of the sport of gymnastics."

Kuliak's suspension is the latest in a series of sanctions that have been imposed on Russian athletes following the invasion of Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from competing in international competitions.

Several international sports federations have also banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from their events.