MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. The leadership of the International Judo Federation (IJF) favors allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions following recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the organization’s press service said.
"The reintegration of the judoka from Russia and Belarus in the international competition circuit relies on unassailable arguments. First of all, one of the main pillars of the Olympic Charter remains the discrimination-free participation of athletes, without exceptions," the press service said in a statement.
"Furthermore, the Russian and Belorussian judo athletes, regardless of their professional profile, from the beginning of the invasion until now, have never participated in any military activity and have avoided involvement in any political or party propaganda, as their decision was to remain in sport and continue to prepare, waiting for the moment they can return to competition," the statement continues.
"Sport has always been, continues to be and shall remain the most important platform for unity, solidarity and friendship, even if not between nations, surely between people. The Olympic Movement and the wider sports movement are the only bridges that in this current difficult moment can manage an open dialogue and create a reconciliation model which could inspire all parties involved in or supporting the conflict, to solve the existing antagonism," the federation’s President Marius Vizer said. "I consider that condemning the athletes who, through their participation in sport are obviously supporting peace, friendship and solidarity, in the spirit of humanity, is an excessive and unacceptable measure."
At its Wednesday session, the IOC Executive Board put forward a proposal to allow individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in international sports tournaments, but only under certain conditions. Athletes from the countries in question should not be "actively supporting" Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and must compete under a neutral status.
On February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments, citing Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine as the reason.
Following the IOC’s recommendations in late February, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments.