A Putin-supporting Russian swimmer dropped by Speedo after attending a pro-war rally says he's being targeted because he's the sport's biggest star

• Speedo dropped Evgeny Rylov, a Russian swimmer, after he attended a pro-war rally.
• Rylov is now under investigation by the sport's global governing body.

The Russian swimmer who was dropped by his sponsor after attending a pro-war rally in Moscow said he was being targeted because he was, in his words, the sport's biggest star.

Evgeny Rylov, who won gold in both the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events at the Tokyo Olympic Games, was cut by the swimming brand Speedo after he appeared at a rally organized by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow earlier this month.

The 25-year-old wore his Olympic medals and a coat baring the nationalist "Z" symbol as he took to the stage alongside a number of other athletes.

The International Swimming Federation, or FINA, has also opened disciplinary proceedings against the Olympic champion, who is barred from competing in international swimming events, like all Russian athletes.

Speaking with the Russian newspaper Sport-Express on Saturday, Rylov said he believed he'd become the target of a witch hunt because of his success in the pool.

"I think the whole point is that I am the world face of swimming and double the demand on me," he said.

Rylov's assertion that he's the face of global swimming is contentious. Many swimmers, including US Olympian Katie Ledecky, could also lay claim to being swimming's biggest star.

"If it wasn't for me who went on stage at Luzhniki, but for someone else from the swimmers, they might not even pay attention. At the Olympics, I attracted increased attention, and now it is riveted to me in all aspects of life," Rylov said.

Rylov added that he couldn't understand why FINA was investigating him for his appearance at the rally.

"I don't understand what I did, but in the end they filed a complaint against me for that offended the feelings of other athletes," he said.

"You see, I offended them by simply supporting my country, my president. I don't know how to argue with that," he continued.

When asked about his deal with Speedo being terminated, Rylov said: "I received a request to write an explanatory note. My answer: No comment.

"What should I explain to them?"