Ukraine has lodged a strong protest against the decision of the International Judo Federation to allow Russian athletes to take part in competitions under their national flag. The ministers of foreign affairs and of youth and sports emphasized that the decision legitimizes the aggressor state and violates the moral principles of international sport.
We strongly condemn the shameful decision of the International Judo Federation to permit Russian athletes to participate in competitions under the flag of the aggressor state. This demonstrates a complete indifference to the reality of Russian aggression against Ukraine and jeopardizes the moral foundations of international sport.
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
The ministry stressed that under the Russian flag in the 21st century serious international crimes are being committed, including mass killings, war crimes, torture, the deportation of children and the destruction of cities. That flag is associated with war, terror and systemic violations of international law.
Allowing athletes to compete under this symbol during the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine is a deliberate legitimization of the aggressor, which aids its propaganda and disdains the millions of Ukrainians who have become victims of the war.
Ukraine has called on governments and international sports federations to assess this decision and to prevent the politicization of sport by Russian propaganda.
Kyiv underscores a principled position: a state conducting an aggressive war and committing crimes has no place in international sport under its own flag until those crimes have ceased and justice has been restored.
We call on the international sporting community to demonstrate a real commitment to the values of peace and human dignity that are the foundational principles of international sport.
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
The IJF Executive Committee has decided to restore the full national representation of Russian athletes, who will be able to compete under their flag, with their anthem and insignia, beginning with the Grand Slam tournament in Abu Dhabi in 2025.
