Olympic champion Evgeny Rylov banned nine months by FINA

FINA, the governing body of swimming, has banned Russian Olympic champion Evgeny Rylov for nine months after his attendance during a pro-Russia rally held at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Rylov was one of several athletes who wore the pro-war symbol of the letter ‘Z’ on their clothing in support of the “special military operation” in Ukraine.

“The FINA Bureau met today and acknowledged the decision of the FINA Disciplinary Panel to suspend Evgeny Rylov from all competitions and activities organized or sanctioned by FINA, including any International Competition on the FINA World Aquatic Calendar, for a period of nine months, following Mr. Rylov’s attendance and conduct at an event held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on March 18, 2022,” read the statement.

FINA has already canceled all of its events in Russia scheduled to take place this year. All of the country’s athletes and officials are also prohibited from participating in FINA’s competitions until the end of the calendar year.

The 25-year-old, who won gold medals in the 100 and 200m backstroke at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will effectively serve a 20-day personal suspension for his attendance at the rally.

Rylov also won a silver medal in men’s 4x200-meter freestyle in Tokyo and is a two-time world champion in the 200-meter backstroke winning in Budapest, Hungary in 2017 and in Gwangju, South Korea in 2019.

The Kremlin said FINA’s decision showed the further politicization of sport.

“We believe this is absolutely contrary to the ideas of sport,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. “When the strongest (competitors) lose the opportunity to participate, this ultimately harms international federations and international competitions.”

Rylov was also stripped of his Speedo sponsorship following the gala concert marking the reunification of Crimea and Russia.