However, on Thursday, the International Judo Federation (IJF) Executive Committee voted to end the measure, meaning that effective immediately, Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under their flag in international events.
‘The Last Bridge’
“Sport is the last bridge that unites people and countries in very difficult conflict situations and environments. Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions,” a statement posted on the IJF website said.
“The decision to restore full national representation reflects the IJF’s confidence in its ethical safeguards as well as the strength and integrity of the game.”
The statement said that since the IJF had lifted similar restrictions on Belarus in May, it was “appropriate to allow Russian athletes to participate under the same conditions.”
“Russia has historically been a leading nation in world judo. Its full return should enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF principles of fairness, inclusivity and respect.”
The move means Russian judokas will be eligible to compete under their national flag at the Grand Slam 2025 in Abu Dhabi, which starts on Friday (November 28).
As expected, this decision was welcomed in Russia.
“Judo is one of the most popular sports in Russia; about half a million citizens practice it regularly,” Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev wrote in a statement posted on Telegram.
‘Gross violation of IOC recommendations’
On the other hand, the Ukrainian Judo Federation described the move as a “gross violation of the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations”.
It also objected to the IJF’s reference to the Games building bridges.
“Bridges are built where there is peace,” it said. “Russia has only brought war to the world.”
Thursday’s decision will also please Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has a black belt in judo. The IJF suspended him from the post of its Honorary President in February 2022.
paralympic restoration
The IJF’s move followed a decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in September to restore full membership rights to Russia and Belarus after member organizations voted to lift their partial suspensions.
Both countries were banned from Paralympic competitions after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the IPC voted the following year to allow them to compete as neutrals at last year’s Paris Paralympic Games.
Belarus has been a staging post for Russian troops and weapons during the war.
Editing: Kalika Mehta
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