The International Swimming Federation (Fina) does not condone swimming in troubled waters.
The world body has suspended Russian swimmer Evgeny Rylov, 25, Olympic champion in the 100 meters and 200 meters backstroke in Tokyo for nine months for his active presence at a rally in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. .
Rylov was among a number of athletes at the rally hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium in March.
On a large podium, Rylov publicly displayed himself alongside other Olympic athletes.
The surrounding banners read: “For a world without Nazism.
For Russia.
The athletes present wore the pro-war symbol of the letter "Z" on their clothing.
FINA Announces Nine-Month Suspension for Evgeny Rylov For Rally Appearance - https://t.co/M3HvVNfBKh pic.twitter.com/rKDwHEbt3m
— Swimming World (@SwimmingWorld) April 21, 2022
Fina clarified that it was banning Rylov "from all competitions and activities organized or sanctioned by Fina" as a result of his "presence and conduct" at the event.
The young swimmer's suspension took effect on April 20.
However, as all Russian and Belarusian swimmers are currently banned from competing in Fina events until the end of the year, Rylov's suspension will only be effective for 20 days, until January 20, 2023.
After the rally in question, the Speedo firm announced that it had terminated its sponsorship contract with Rylov.
At the beginning of March, Fina authorized Russian and Belarusian swimmers to compete as long as they did so under a neutral banner.
But the world swimming body had to review its position in the face of protests from certain delegations, such as Switzerland, which threatened to boycott the Worlds in the event of Russian and Belarusian participation.
The Fina has also withdrawn from Russia the competitions it was to host, including the Short Course World Championships scheduled for Kazan (December 17-22).
