The Russian gymnast Ivan Kulyak is apparently threatened with a one-year ban.

The 20-year-old athlete from Russia appeared at the award ceremony at the end of the World Cup tournament in Doha in early March with a "Z" on his suit.

This symbol is also on the tanks of the Russian troops in Ukraine.

The ethics committee of the World Gymnastics Federation (FIG) proposed such a punishment for Kuljak.

The same sanction is also planned for his coach Igor Kalabushkin and for herself as the head of the delegation, official Valentina Rodjonenko told the Russian news agency TASS.

The final sentence is expected to be announced next week.

Kuljak's behavior caused particular outrage because he was third on the winner's podium next to winner Ilja Kovtun from Ukraine.

Kuljak did not show himself to be insightful.

Last week, the 20-year-old gymnast was asked in an interview by the Russian state broadcaster "Russia Today" whether he regretted his action: "Absolutely not," said Kuljak.

"If I had the opportunity again and was faced with the question of whether or not I would show up with a 'Z' on my chest - I would do it again the same way."

In the interview, quoted by Britain's Guardian, Kuljak indicated that it was a deliberate political action.

He saw the symbol in our military and found out what it stands for: "It stands for victory and for peace," said Kuljak, who had trained in Russian army facilities last year: "As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and do gymnastics for peace.” Meanwhile, however, athletes from Russia and Belarus are no longer allowed to participate in FIG competitions.