Rylov stood on stage with with medalists from other Olympic
sports at the event last month and wore a jacket with a “Z” on the chest. The
letter isn’t part of the Russian alphabet but has become a symbol of support
for Russian troops after it was used as a marker on Russian armored vehicles
operating in Ukraine.
A brief statement from swimming’s world governing body,
FINA, on Thursday said it “acknowledged” an earlier, as-yet unpublished ruling
from a disciplinary panel to ban Rylov “following Mr. Rylov’s attendance and
conduct at an event held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.”
Rylov was the star of Russia’s swim team at the Olympics in
Tokyo last year with two gold medals.
His ban began Wednesday and covers any international
competition. The effect on Rylov is likely to be mostly symbolic since FINA
also extended its decision to exclude competitors from Russia and its ally
Belarus from all international events for the remainder of 2022.
FINA previously banned Russia and Belarus from the world
championships in Hungary and June and July but left it possible for them to
enter other events. At the time, FINA said Russia planned to boycott all
international events anyway, something Russia denied. That position has now
been clarified.
“The Bureau also confirmed its position that Russian and
Belarusian athletes and officials will not be invited to any FINA event through
the end of 2022,” FINA said Thursday. FINA’s remit covers a range of aquatic
sports including swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming.
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