Olympic Champion Evgeny Rylov pulls out of Swimming World Championships to support banned Russian teammates

Olympic Champion Evgeny Rylov pulls out of Swimming World Championships to support banned Russian teammates

Evgeny Rylov

On Wednesday, Russian double Olympic Champion Evgeny Rylov shocked the world, pulling out of the upcoming Swimming World Championships. Originally scheduled in Japan, event is now all set to be held in Budapest, Hungary from 18th June to 3rd July 2022. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine recently, Rylov withdrew from the championships in support of his teammates.

Rylov took gold in the 100m and 200m backstroke events at last year’s Tokyo Olympics. He however, has also landed himself in hot water recently. Rylov lost his sponsorship with Speedo after attending a rally that was organised by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, he was seen wearing the “Z” symbol mask, which is synonymous with Russia’s support for the invasion of Ukraine.

“I refuse to go the swimming world championships,” Evgeny Rylov on supporting Russian athletes

Evgeny Rylov
Evgeny Rylov

FINA, the international governing body of swimming, has allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. This year’s world junior Swimming Championships that were destined to take place in Russia have already been cancelled by them as well.

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“In support of Russian Paralympians, in support of all Russian athletes who have been removed from international competitions, I refuse to go to the world championship this summer. I believe that losing competition is losing the development of sport. As sad as it may sound, sport cannot move without decent competitors,” Rylov said in an Instagram post according to independant.co.uk.

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