Ukraine boycotts jungle competitions due to Russian athletes

The Judo International Federation (IJF) decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals.

The decision will allow Judists from these countries to participate in the qualifications for the 2024 Olympic Games.

“We have decided not to participate in the World Championship”, the Judah Federation of Ukraine said on Monday.

Last month, the International Olympic Committee recommended that Russian athletes and Belarus be allowed to compete under a neutral flag. But the decision regarding their participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics has not yet been made.

The International Olympic Committee also recommended that their athletes and staff actively support the war in Ukraine, or are contracted with the military, not be allowed to compete.

However, the Federation of Judo, Ukraine, claims that a number of Russian Judo World Championships registered for the Judo World Championship, which will take place from 7 May to 14 May, are active “”. “We do not see neutrality, equal conditions and a shift towards peace, as stated in the IJF Resolution for the participation of Russian and Belarusian teams in the World Championship in Doha”, the Ukrainian Federation said.

We see a decision here that conflicts with the latest recommendations of the International Olympic Committee. We are disappointed with the Judo International Federation's decision”, said further in the statement.

The IJF said it contracted an independent company to control the history of Russian athletes and Belarus with “specific reference to possible war propaganda”.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, IJF removed Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, from his post as honorary president and cancelled a Grand Slam race in Kazan, Russia. /rel