The China Mail - Judo brings Russian athletes in from the cold

"The IJF Executive Committee has therefore voted to permit Russian athletes to compete under their national flag once again, with anthem and insignia in place, beginning with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam," the IJF said.

The Russian federation reacted with delight to the "historic decision" with judo being close to the heart of Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is a black belt in the sport.

"Judo is one of Russia's favourite sports, around half a million citizens regularly participate in it," Mikhail Degtyarev, Russia's Minister of Sport said in a statement published on Telegram.

"It is important to our country, judo is a presidential sport."

The head of the national federation was pleased they had been reinstated.

"We are happy that international judo has become the first to have taken this historic decision," the president of the Russian judo federation Sergey Soloveychik said.

The IJF said having previously welcomed back Belarus, who are widely seen as allies of Russia, it was logical Russia should also return.

"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," it said.

"Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels."

Russia has been effectively shut out from international sporting competitions since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with major sporting bodies including the International Olympic Committee banning Russian athletes from competing under their own flag.

Judo is not the first sports federation to relax the constraints around the Russians.

The International Boxing Association (IBA), who at the time were responsible for boxing at the Olympics and run by a Russian Umar Kremlev, had allowed boxers from Russia to compete under their national flag and the anthem to be played at competitions they organised.

The IJF said the judokas were not responsible for their government's actions -- though the IOC placed strict conditions on Russians appearing at the Paris Games barring any athletes who had made supportive statements surrounding the conflict.

"Sport is the last bridge that unites people and nations in very difficult conflict situations and environments," said the IJF.

"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."

This year's Abu Dhabi Grand Slam takes place this weekend.

L.Kwan--ThChM