“We condemn the war in Ukraine”: Russian Olympic Champion Evgeny Rylov loses Speedo deal after attending pro-war rally
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Evgeny Rylov
Russian swimmer Evgeny Rylov recently found himself in a lot of hot water, after attending a pro-war rally hosted by Putin. He has been suspended for nine months by FINA, the governing swimming body. Rylov won the 100m and 200m backstroke Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The 25-year-old was one of the several athletes who attended the rally hosted by Putin at the Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in March. The rally pertained to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the war that came along with it. All people wore a pro war symbol “Z” on their clothing.
Following his attendance at the rally, his sponsor Speedo decided to terminate their deal with Rylov.
Speedo terminates deal with Russian Swimmer Evgeny Rylov
Speedo has gone on to terminate their sponsorship with the Russian swimmer. In a company statement Speedo said, “Following his attendance at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Speedo can confirm that it has terminated the sponsorship of Evgeny Rylov with immediate effect. We condemn the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible way and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Speedo went on to say that they will donate all these dues that were meant for Rylov to the United Nations instead, to help Ukrainian refugees in the on going war.
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Saivee Phatak
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