Russian gymnast wears the symbol of the invasion of Ukraine

[TaylorSwift 162,471]

The International Gymnastics Federation banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from the competition starting Monday.

 

[Ricardo 8,133]

what a fcking loser, a decision he'll regret for the rest of his life

say goodbye to your career 

[Tinnitus15 51,886]

And yet again we see Ukraine on the 1st place!Karma must be a bitch,judging the Russian’s face 

[Lucas 31,130]

I wonder if Russians are drowning under propaganda and they believe in some lies making them support Putin/an attack on Europe... I see tons of stuff online from ukrainians citizens but nothing from russians citizens, that's a bit strange

[Sugar Baby 1,002]

What an asshole 

soo good to see the Ukraine athlete on first place tbh 

We love justice 

[nATAH 57,035]

i went from "oh he's hot!" to "oh he's NOT" faster than you can say ferrari

[PartySick 172,545]

20 minutes ago, Lucas said:

I wonder if Russians are drowning under propaganda and they believe in some lies making them support Putin/an attack on Europe... I see tons of stuff online from ukrainians citizens but nothing from russians citizens, that's a bit strange

Yeah but we see plenty of right wing Europeans and Americans who are buying this whole "he's allowed to defend his borders from Nazis and NATO's expansion!¡!" bullsh*t.

You have to think if people with access to the reality of it all can believe it then people who only see the lies will believe the lies.

[elijahfan 27,484]

19 minutes ago, NATAH said:

i went from "oh he's hot!" to "oh he's NOT" faster than you can say ferrari

I went from "oh he's hot!" to "oh damn, that was before seeing the Ukrainian" 

[LG2008 6,309]

Wait, I'm lost... What does the "Z" means? 

[TaylorSwift 162,471]

4 minutes ago, LG2008 said:

Wait, I'm lost... What does the "Z" means? 

The letter is supposed to signify the Russian words “za pobedu” [for the victory].
The letter is painted on Russian tanks and armored vehicles participating in the invasion. It is shared on social media by those supporting the invasion.

[artichoke 540]

wasn't he forced? maybe russia is making all athletes wear that idk, he looks uncomfortable, but that's just from the picture of the tweet so i might be reaching

[Plastic Flower 5,586]

14 minutes ago, dove said:

wasn't he forced? maybe russia is making all athletes wear that idk, he looks uncomfortable, but that's just from the picture of the tweet so i might be reaching

We need to consider that Russian people get basically brainwashed 

[nATAH 57,035]

55 minutes ago, elijahfan said:

I went from "oh he's hot!" to "oh damn, that was before seeing the Ukrainian" 

good point! all is saved

[lolitamuse 299]

I would wager that this is not a decision he made himself, but something he is expected/forced to do as a symbol of Russia in the public eye. Another form of propaganda, if you will. If he resisted, I imagine that there'd be serious repercussions back home. 

Of course, there is always the possibility that he has grown up with enough Russian propaganda to do this willingly. Can't rule that out either.

But I say this as a Cuban American child of immigrants who escaped the Castro revolution - totalitarian leaders rule by brutal force. If you go against the grain, you are violently punished, not to mention the threat to your family. Many people end up conforming just to keep themselves and their families safe.

It's objectively wrong to wear this symbol, yes. But it's also not something he likely could say no to if he was told to wear it. We won't really know the truth, sadly.

[CautiousLurker 19,709]

5 hours ago, NATAH said:

i went from "oh he's hot!" to "oh he's NOT" faster than you can say ferrari

I'm still on 'oh he's hot!' part 

Terrible nevertheless, has he made any kind of statement about this? Cuz, I wouldn't be surprised if he was pressured into it