Serbian swimmer Milorad Cavic was suspended from competing in the remainder of the European swimming championship for wearing an anti-Kosovo shirt at his medal ceremony.
As he collected the gold medal for the 50-meter butterfly, Cavic wore a shirt proclaiming “Kosovo is Serbia”.
The European swimming league disciplinary panel ruled that his actions constituted “a clear political action” and thus violated their rules. The Serbian swimming federation was also fined $10,800.
Cavic declined to speak to reporters, but his team stated that it intends to appeal the decision. It is unlikely, however, that the appeal process will be completed before the end of the championship in Eindhoven.
As a result of the decision, Cavic did not participate on Friday in the heats of the 100 freestyle and twill not participate in the heats of 100 butterfly on Saturday.
Former Serbian President Boris Tadic and the Serbian Minister of Sports condemned the decision of the disciplinary panel as “scandalous”.
