Russian Olympic swimming champion handed nine-month ban after attending Putin rally celebrating invasion of Ukraine
A RUSSIAN Olympic Athlete has been banned for nine months after attending a rally in support of Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine.
Evgeny Rylov, 25, won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 100m and 200m backstroke.
FINA is the international water sports federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
They released a statement which read: "[FINA] suspend Evgeny Rylov of Russia from all competitions and activities organized or sanctioned by FINA for a period of nine months, following Mr. Rylov’s attendance and conduct at an event held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 8 March 2022.
"Mr. Rylov’s suspension took effect on 20 April 2022."
A number of other Russian athletes took part in the Moscow march including Olympic medallists and figure skaters Victoria Sinitsina, Nikita Katsalapov, Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov.
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Cross-country skier Alexander Bolshunov, and rhythmic gymnastics twin sisters Dina and Arina Averina also pictured at the event.
The Guardian report that the athletes stood on stage to the sound of the Russian national anthem.
This was an apparent reference to the fact that it has been blocked from podium ceremonies in the last Summer and Winter Olympics.
The sportsmen and women wore jackets with a "Z" on the chest, displaying their support for the invasion of Ukraine.
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The symbol, which represents the Russian phrase for victory, has been visible on Putin's tanks entering Ukraine.
It is widely considered to be the sign which symbolises the war.
Rylov has also lost his sponsorship deal with trunks manufacturer Speedo.
Speedo said it will donate the sum of Rylov’s sponsorship fee to UNHCR, the United Nations agency caring for refugees.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added: "We believe this is absolutely contrary to the ideas of sport."
The ban on Rylov comes days after Wimbledon barred all Russian and Belarussian tennis players from this summer's tournament.