Russian Athletes Return Under National Flag in Judo Competitions

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has reversed a previous decision and will now permit Russian athletes to compete representing their nation, starting with competitions this weekend, the federation declared on Thursday. Previously, due to political tensions, they had to compete without their national symbols.

This change comes after a vote by the IJF's executive body, which allows Russian athletes to once again bear their national flag and anthem, beginning formally at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam event, scheduled for November 28 to 30.

In a statement, the IJF emphasized that athletes should not be held accountable for political decisions, asserting their commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the sport and its participants.

Upon inquiry, the IJF chose not to elaborate on their decision to reallow Russian representation.

The backdrop to this policy shift includes the directive from President Vladimir Putin to engage in a full-scale military action in Ukraine from February 24, 2022—an action he refers to not as war, but as a 'special military operation.' Consequently, many Russian competitors faced bans from global sports events or had their national symbols prohibited.

In addition, the International Olympic Committee has suspended the Russian Olympic Committee since 2023. This was in response to Russia's violation of the Olympic charter with its annexation of regional sports entities in areas of Ukraine.

While Russian athletes will have the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games, the condition remains that they do so individually and not under the Russian flag, similar to the model employed during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Russian Judo Federation's president, Sergey Soloveychik, lauded the IJF's decision, describing it as both historic and equitable.

"It is a just and brave stance from the IJF, long-awaited," Soloveychik conveyed through an official comment.

Previously, Belarusian athletes were granted full national participation by the IJF, despite Belarus's involvement in supporting Russia's military initiatives in Ukraine.

The IJF articulated their stand to allow Russian athletes back under equal conditions, emphasizing the importance of keeping their sport free from international disputes.

"Russia has historically been a dominant force in the world of judo. Their complete reintegration is predicted to elevate competition across all stages while reinforcing the IJF's values of fairness and inclusivity," said the federation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a notable connection to judo, being an avid practitioner and attending events such as the 2012 London Olympics.

However, following Russia's 2022 engagement in Ukraine, the IJF stripped Putin of his honorary status within the athletic world.

The ongoing hostilities in Ukraine also led to Sergey Soloveychik's resignation from his role as president of the European Judo Union, as the conflict continued to impact the sport's governance.