Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who displayed the Z symbol associated with his home country’s invasion of Ukraine, has said he has no regrets about what he did.

Kuliak came third on Saturday at a gymnastics World Cup event in Doha, and affixed the symbol to his shirt while accepting his medal on the podium.

The winner of the event was Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun.

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Z has come to be associated with support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has been daubed on the side of tanks and weapons.

Read more: Why is Russia using the letter ‘Z’ and what does it mean?

Kuliak sparked condemnation while wearing the symbol, with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) branding it “shocking behaviour” and urging the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to investigate.

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However, the 20-year-old has remained defiant in the face of a ban from the sport, telling Russian state media: “If there was a second chance and I had a choice whether to go out with the letter ‘Z’ on my chest or not, I would do the same.

“I saw it on our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out to be ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace’. I just wanted to show my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace.”

From 7 March, Russian athletes and coaches were banned from international events, in line with most other sports’ global governing bodies placing sanctions on the country – but Kuliak’s appearance at this event fell before that date.

Meanwhile, the various governing bodies of international tennis have teamed up for a campaign that will see them donate $100,000 (£76,300) to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

The ATP, WTA and International Tennis Foundation have also donated to the Ukraine Tennis Federation.

The Wimbledon Foundation has made additional donations to the British Red Cross and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, this week, blue and yellow ribbons will be given to players to wear during the competition.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been told they can continue to compete on tours as individuals, but they have to play as neutrals without national flags. The country teams have been banned from competing.

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