Kulyak, the former Russian junior champion, finished third behind Ukrainian Ilya Kovtun, at the World Gymnastics Championships held in Doha.
While the gymnasts were photographed standing shoulder to shoulder to receive their medals, the letter “Z” was clearly visible on Kolyak’s uniform.
The letter “Z” was detected on a number of Russian tanks and military vehicles that entered areas in Ukraine.
And the British newspaper, “Daily Mail”, indicated that Kolyak, aged 20, received military training with the Russian army last year.
The newspaper pointed out that the International Gymnastics Federation had banned the use of symbols with military connotations during its events, and canceled all sports events in Russia and Belarus.