Russian swimmer banned for attending pro-war rally

Russian Olympic swimming champion Evgeny Rylov has been suspended for nine months after attending a rally in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, news outlets reported on Friday.

Evgeny Rylov

EPA/Patrick B. Kraemer

The two-time Olympic gold medalist was among a number of athletes who took part in the event, which was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium last month, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

Participants wore the letter "Z" on their outfits, an identifying symbol used by supporters of Russia's war in Ukraine, it said.

Two-time Olympic swimming champion Evgeny #Rylov was suspended for 9 months from competitions under the auspices of the International Swimming Federation.

The reason for this is his attendance at the pro-Putin concert in #Luzhniki. pic.twitter.com/ZHOH0F7u40

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 22, 2022

Rylov won the men's 100m and 200m backstroke events at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

World swimming's governing body FINA on Friday banned him from all competitions following his "attendance and conduct" at the Moscow event.

Swimming's world governing body FINA said it had suspended Russian Olympic gold medallist Evgeny Rylov for nine months after he attended a rally in Moscow in support of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine https://t.co/PojHRPONPz

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 22, 2022

Meanwhile, swimwear maker Speedo terminated its sponsorship deal with Rylov after the rally, the PAP news agency reported.

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters