Ukrainian swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk insisted he was ‘ready to kill’ his former Russian friend Evgeny Rylov, after his fellow competitor attended a pro-Vladimir Putin rally. Romanchuk’s nation still find themselves under attack from Russia, after the initial invasion in late February.
There have been a whole manner of sanctions implemented against the Eastern European country across all walks of life, including in sport. Punishments against Russian athletes have been a common theme from a number of sporting governing bodies, including FIFA, UEFA, the FIA and Wimbledon bosses at the All England Tennis Club.
Swimmer Romanchuk is fully behind the sporting sanctions, with the war effort close to his heart as his father is part of the home-defence force in Ukraine.
