Ukraine won’t participate within the World Judo Championships set for June in Budapest as a result of Belarus’s participation within the competitors, the Ukrainian Judo Federation introduced on Might 29.
The choice got here after the Govt Committee of the Worldwide Judo Federation (IJF) confirmed, following an attraction from Kyiv, that Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate in all worldwide competitions beneath nationwide symbols from June 1, 2025.
Because the outbreak of Moscow's full-scale battle, Ukraine has repeatedly referred to as for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in worldwide competitions, together with the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the end, these athletes have been allowed to compete solely as "particular person impartial athletes" in particular person disciplines with out utilizing any nationwide symbols associated to their nations.
Whereas Belarus, an ally of Russia, has indirectly participated within the battle, it has allowed the Kremlin to make use of its territory as a staging floor for its operations in opposition to Ukraine.
In line with the Ukrainian committee, the federation mentioned in its response that "the IJF is dedicated to making sure that sport serves as a platform for dialogue, unity, and understanding — constructing bridges, not partitions."
The Ukrainian Judo Federation condemned the choice, saying that it contradicts "the basic ideas of equity, duty, and solidarity within the world sports activities motion."
"We firmly consider that permitting athletes from aggressor nations to compete beneath nationwide symbols just isn’t solely a case of political blindness but additionally a blatant disregard for the victims of battle and worldwide legislation," the assertion learn.
As of March, 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia within the battle, with 22 held captive and 11 lacking, Ukraine's Overseas Ministry mentioned.
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
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