(Reuters) – Swimming’s international governing body FINA suspended Russian Olympic Gold medallist Evgeny Rylov for nine months. This was after Rylov attended a Moscow rally supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Rylov was among the many competitors who were invited to a rally in Moscow at Moscow’s Luzhniki arena hosted last month by President Vladimir Putin. Rylov has won gold in both 100m and 200m backstroke at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Rylov and the other athletes wore “Z” on them, the symbol of support for Russia’s “special Military Operation” in Ukraine.

FINA announced that Mr. Rylov was suspended “following his attendance and conduct during an event at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow”.

Rylov did not immediately respond to the protest. Speedo also terminated his sponsorship agreement with him for his participation at the rally.

FINA has cancelled all Russian events and banned officials, athletes and officials of Belarus and Russia from participating in FINA competitions.