Although Countrymen Have Openings to Compete, Olympic Champ Evgeny Rylov Will Be Locked Out
While World Aquatics recently established guidelines for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in its events, including future World Championships, the door is not open to Evgeny Rylov. The two-time Olympic champion from the 2020 Tokyo Games appeared at a March rally for Russian president Vladimir Putin, and that decision will preclude Rylov from racing on the international scene.
When World Aquatics released the criteria for Russian and Belarusian participation last week, it identified several acts that would maintain an athlete’s ineligibility to compete in its competitions. Among them was demonstrating support for the Russian war on the Ukraine, which is what Rylov exhibited when he attended a rally last year.
World Aquatics’ criteria, in part, states: “No support for the war in Ukraine. Any form of verbal, non verbal or written expression, explicit or implicit, at any time since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, in particular public statements, including those made in social media, participation in pro-war demonstrations or events, and the wearing of any symbol in support of the war in Ukraine, for example the “Z” symbol, are considered to be acts of support for the war in Ukraine.”
Rylov captured gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke and 200 backstroke at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and has won 15 medals at the World Championships – both long course and short course. Beyond the World Champs, Rylov will be ineligible to race in the upcoming World Cup series.
Evan though I do not agree with his opinions I still think he should be able to complete he is probably world’s best and if he won’t be in the Olympics it won’t be a fight for who is world’s best and he can also talk about he’s opinions