Russian Gold medalist Evgeny Rylov banned for appearing at Putin rally

Russian Gold medalist Evgeny Rylov banned for appearing at Putin rally

Evgeny Rylov 

Russian Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Rylov has been banned from the sport for nine months for appearing at a rally in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s invasion of Ukaine.

Last month Evgeny Rylov stood on stage with other medalists from other Olympic sports event and wore a jacket with a “Z” symbol on the chest. The letter isn’t part of the Russian alphabet but has become a symbol of support for Russian troops after it was used as a marker on Russian vehicles operating in Ukraine war.

On Thursday in a brief statement from FINA said it “acknowledged” an earlier, as-yet-unpublished ruling from a disciplinary panel to ban Evgeny Rylov “following Mr Rylov’s attendance and conduct at an event held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.”

Evgeny Rylov won two medals in swimming for Russia at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

Evgeny Rylov ban began on Wednesday and covers all international competition. The effect on Rylov is likely to be mostly for symbolic since FINA also extended its decision to ban competitors from Russia and its ally Belarus from all international events for the remainder of 2022.

FINA previously banned Russia and Belarus athletes and officials from the world championships in Hungary and June and July but left it possible for them to enter other events. At the time, in a statement FINA said that Russia planned to boycott all international events anyway, but Russia denied. That position has now been clarified.

On Thursday FINA said “The Bureau also confirmed its position that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials will not be invited to any FINA event through the end of 2022.” FINA’s remit covers a range of aquatic sports including swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming.