Olympic swimming champion loses sponsor because of support for war

The major swimwear brand Speedo has torn up its sponsorship deal with Russian swimmer Evgeni Rilov. The two-time Olympic champion from Tokyo was on hand at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium late last week, where Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech praising the armed forces for their “special military operation” in Ukraine. The Russians also celebrated the annexation of the Kim eight years ago in the stadium.

Rilov (25) was present at the ceremony, just like some other top athletes. Speedo sees this as an expression of support for the war and immediately decided to sever ties with the Russian. “Following his presence at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow last weekend, Speedo can confirm that Evgeni Rilov’s sponsorship has been dissolved with immediate effect. We condemn the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible way and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, our athletes and teammates affected by this conflict,” Speedo told the well-known swimming website SwimSwam. The swimwear brand will donate the outstanding sponsorship amount to the UN refugee organization UNHCR.

Rilov, who also works as a police officer near Moscow, won Olympic gold in Japan last year in the 100 and 200 meters backstroke. He was honored by Putin in the Kremlin after his successes in Japan.

The global swimming federation FINA says it is “deeply disappointed” at Rilov’s presence at the “war celebration” in Moscow. The FINA is investigating the matter.