On Friday, Yevgeny Ryblov was one of several Russian sports stars who entered the stage and was hailed by Vladimir Putin in front of tens of thousands of people at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The event was organized by the President of Russia to commemorate the anniversary of the conquest of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. In addition, the ongoing invasion of Ukraine was celebrated.

Pictures show 25-year-old Ryblov, who won two Olympic gold medals (100 and 200 meters backstroke) in Tokyo this summer, wearing a jacket with the letter Z - the symbol that Russia used during the war.

Ski star Aleksandr Bolshunov was also on stage.

On Monday, the swimwear brand Speedo announced that they had terminated the sponsorship contract with Rylov and donated the remaining money to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, according to insidethegames.

"After his performance at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow this weekend, Speedo can confirm that the sponsorship of Yevgeny Rylov has ended with immediate effect," the company said in a statement according to the site and continues:

"We condemn the war in Ukraine in the strongest possible way and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, our athletes and teammates affected by the conflict."

This is how the sports world reacts to the war in Ukraine

  • Ukrainian tennis soldier on Federer's support: "He wants peace soon"

    2 min

  • Shevchenko comments on the war: "It's awful"

    31 sec

  • The tennis star's gesture after the victory

    21 sec

  • Orienteering family helping Ukraine

    1 minute

  • Monfil's gesture - after the victory against the Russian world setter

    38 sec

  • Ukrainian football player in tears after the goal

    28 sec

  • Ukraine set a new medal record - now the success is overshadowed by concern

    54 sec

  • Samuelsson: "It is important to show as much solidarity as possible"

    24 sec

  • The Russian wall bus was vandalized in Holmenkollen

    22 sec

  • Ukrainian goes to Tjejvasan: "Has slept very badly several nights"

    27 sec

  • Ovetchkin's appeal: "No more war"

    20 sec

  • Rublev's appeal: "No war please"

    19 sec

  • The Boxer Brothers: "Together we are strong - support Ukraine"

    22 sec