By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) – The International Judo Federation (IJF) said Thursday it has voted to allow Russian athletes to return to international tournaments under their national flag, including the use of their anthem and insignia, ending a ban in place since early 2022 over the Ukraine war.
“Following recent developments, including the reinstatement of full national representation for Belarusian athletes, the IJF considers it is now appropriate to allow the participation of Russian athletes under equal conditions,” the federation said in a statement.
The group said it had navigated “a period of significant geopolitical pressure with measured responsibility,” describing sports as “the last bridge that unites people and nations in very difficult conflict situations and environments.”
“Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes,” it said. The federation added that sport “must remain neutral, independent, and free from political influence,” and that judo “cannot allow itself to become a platform for geopolitical agendas.”
It said its decision “reflects the IJF’s confidence in its ethical safeguards, as well as in the strength and integrity of the sport,” noting that its executive committee approved full reinstatement beginning with this weekend’s 2025 Judo Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Russian state news agency Tass, Sergey Soloveychik, the head of Russia’s Judo Federation, thanked the IJF for what he called a “long-awaited, fair, and courageous” move.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said separately on Telegram: “We thank the IJF for its integrity in upholding Olympic values. The International Judo Federation was the first to propose a mechanism for our athletes' return to international competitions. Judo is one of the most beloved sports in Russia.”
Russian and Belarusian athletes have faced widespread bans from major sporting events since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. The IJF barred both delegations from its competitions in September 2022 until January 2023, later allowing their participation as “individual neutral athletes” after background checks.
The Ukrainian Judo Federation issued a “strong protest” against the IJF’s latest decision, calling it a “blatant violation of the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and makes judo the first sport to openly disregard them.”
"The Ukrainian Judo Federation views this decision as one that contradicts the principles of peace, justice, and responsibility, and undermines trust in international sports institutions," it added.