Judo, international federation readmits Russia even with anthem and flag
Give the green light to Russia’s athletes, complete with anthem and flag: the World Judo Federation is the first to end Moscow’s ban on the sport, decided by the IOC and all international sports bodies after the invasion of Ukraine. Starting Friday, in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Russian judokas will be able to compete in their own right. In 2022, the IJF had removed Vladimir Putin as honorary president. Now the Ijf’s Executive “has voted to allow Russian athletes to compete again under their own flag, with the anthem and all symbols. The decision is valid from the’Abu Dhabi Grand Slam” kicking off on Friday.
“We thank the’Ijf for this long-awaited, just and courageous decision– Russian judo federjudo president Sergey Soloveitchik said in a note.
We are pleased that international judo was the first to make this historic decision, remaining true to the values of humanism and demonstrating its ability to act for the good of all”. The Ijf had already distinguished itself in February 2022 by initially rejecting the outright ban recommended by the IOC and immediately implemented by much of the sports world, and had only excluded them as of September 2022. Then, in 2023, on the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee, the Ijf was one of the first federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral flags provoking a boycott by the Ukrainian delegation.
The Ijf was one of the first federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral flags, provoking a boycott by the Ukrainian delegation.
Since then, Russian athletes have worn the inscription “Ain” on the back of their kimonos, meaning “Independent and Neutral Athletes” while their anthem and flag have been replaced by those of the ’Ijf during official ceremonies. Last June, Belarus, considered an ally of Russia, was then fully allowed to participate in the World Championships in Budapest. Again, Ukraine withdrew from the competition in protest. “Following recent developments, including the restoration of full national representation for Belarusian athletes, the Ijf believes it is now appropriate to allow Russian athletes to participate under the same conditions” explains the federation, of which Vladimir Putin, a lover of the discipline, has long been “honorary president”.
