The International Judo Federation dropped the ban on Russian athletes competing under their national flag

The International Gero Federation has decided to allow Russian athletes to compete under its national flag again in its competitions starting this weekend, the IJF said on Thursday, despite the ongoing day The war in Ukraine That, for years, forced them to participate under a neutral banner.

The IJF Executive Committee voted to “rewrite the full national representation” of Russian athletes, with their song and symbols, starting with the 2025 abu drand slam, taking part in November 28 – 30.

“Athletes are not responsible for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes,” the IJF said in a statement.

Contacted by CBS News, the IJF declined to provide any further explanation for the policy change.

Following the orders of President Vladimir Putin to launch a full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022 – Escalating the war against “the operation of the Russian military” – it is forbidden to compete under the Russian flag.

The Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended from 2023 by the International Olympic Committee for violating the Olympic Charter by using administrative jurisdiction to include regional sports bodies in Eastern Ukraine.

The Russians will be allowed to compete in the Milan-Cortina winter games next year, but the IOC will keep the system in place for the 2024 Paris games, allowing them to compete only as a rustage, not for the Russian team.

Sergey Soloveychik, the President of the Russian Federation, praised what he called a “historic decision.”

“Thanks to the IJF for this long-awaited, positive and courageous decision,” the statement said.

The IJF said it once brought back full national representations of Belarusian athletes. The room he allowed Moscow to use its territory as a staging ground for an attack on Ukraine, and later he did The deployment of Russian nuclear missiles in its soil.

The IJF said it now considers it “appropriate to allow the participation of Russian athletes under equal conditions,” stressing that sports “cannot allow itself to become a platform for geopolitical agendas.”

“Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in the World Geo, and their full return is expected to enrich the competition at all levels while supporting the IJF principles of fairness, inclusion and respect said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a serious judoka as well went to parties Sports at the 2012 London Olympics.

No sooner had Russia launched its 2022 attack on Ukraine, but the IJC stripped the Russian leader of his top title in the country’s space.

IJF cited “Continued war in Ukraine” in The status of the respected President Putin In death, Soloveychik, who became the President of the European Judo Union, left his post.