According to IRNA, in March, the World Judo Federation, in a decision contrary to the decision of other international sports bodies, announced that Russian and Belarusian judokas can appear in tournaments, but only under the flag of the World Federation.
The decision of the World Judo Federation faced strong criticism from Ukraine; The country that boycotted the World Judo Cup in Mongolia in June announced that it would do the same if Russian athletes participated in the World Championships in Tajikistan in October.
However, the World Judo Federation changed its position today (Wednesday) in a statement and announced that due to the current international situation, in order to ensure the safety of all judo athletes, until June 2023, the representatives of Russia and Belarus will not participate in the International competition will hinder action.
Following the start of Russia’s special military operations in Ukraine on February 24 (5th of March 1400), international sports bodies imposed extensive sanctions against Moscow on the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is probably the most famous judoka in Moscow, and the World Judo Federation suspended Putin from the position of honorary president of the world organization in March.