To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Russian Evgeny Rylov Insisted Upon Wearing Cat-Mask To Medal Ceremony

Russian Evgeny Rylov Insisted Upon Wearing Cat-Mask To Medal Ceremony

The cat-lover said he 'felt like crying' when he was told he couldn't wear the mask at an earlier medal ceremony

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A cat-loving Olympian got to wear his favourite cat mask while collecting his gold medal.

Swimmer Evgeny Rylov, from Russia, said he felt like 'crying' when he was told by organisers that he wouldn't be allowed to wear his beloved cat mask while collecting his gold medal for the 100m backstroke.

PA

According rt.com, Rylov said: "I feel like crying. I wasn't allowed to wear my cat mask. They said, 'We're sorry, you can't'. I'm not going to argue with the organisers of the Olympic Games."

However, it seems as though Rylov got his own way in the end, because when he went to pick up his gold for the 200-meter backstroke he proudly wore the mask, which he says was a gift from his girlfriend.

The Olympian has several pet cats and often shares photos of them on his Instagram account.

Instagram
Instagram

Rylov's 100m made him the first Russian man to win an Olympic gold medal in a swimming event since 1996 - something he said was 'overwhelming'.

Speaking about his win Rylov said: "I was overwhelmed by joy... now I just have to prove myself in other events.

The Russian said he 'felt like crying' when he was told he couldn't wear his cat mask to an earlier ceremony.
PA

"I do understand the sky is the limit but I have achieved a very important result and of course I felt a huge relief."

Russia is banned from Tokyo 2020 after being found guilty of state-sponsored doping - something which the country denies.

However, around 330 Russian athletes have been given permission to compete, but they are not permitted to use the Russian flag or national anthem.

The athletes compete under the name Russian Olympic Committee and if the word 'Russia' is on their kit, it must also include the words 'neutral athlete'.

PA

According to the International Olympic Committee: "All public displays of the organisation's participant name should use the acronym ROC, not the full name Russian Olympic Committee."

In 2019, Russia was banned from competing for four years, but last year this was cut to two.

The ban also means, if Russia qualifies for 2022 World Cup its team will have to compete under a similar neutral name.

The sanction ends on 16 December 2022.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, olympics, Cats