National symbols are usually proudly emblazoned for all to see. That’s the point of them. One, though, seems rather to have crept up on us in recent weeks, being flashed almost like a secret tattoo and then quickly covered up again. It is the letter ‘Z’ that Russians have started using to denote national solidarity and support for their country in the war in Ukraine.
The Z came to international notice when a Russian gymnast, Ivan Kuliak, displayed it prominently on his strip two weeks ago while standing next to a Ukrainian competitor at a tournament in Qatar. He now faces a disciplinary inquiry as under the rules such symbols must not be worn.
Given the exclusion of Russians from most sporting events, this may turn out to be a rare sighting on a medal podium. On the other hand, where Russians are allowed to compete, it is now generally without their national flag – which may be one reason for the appearance of the Z as an unofficial substitute to denote national allegiance, with an added note, perhaps, of defiance.
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