PARIS — Russian president
Vladimir Putin has
been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF)
due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sport’s governing body announced on
Sunday.
اضافة اعلان
The conflict has
entered a fourth day with Moscow ordering its troops to advance in Ukraine
“from all directions”, while the West responded late Saturday with sanctions
that sought to cripple Russia’s banking sector.
“In light of the ongoing war... in Ukraine, the
International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s
status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo
Federation,” read the IJF statement.
Putin, an accomplished judoka who was awarded an
eighth dan in 2014 – one of the highest levels in the sport, has been honorary
president since 2008.
IJF president Marius Vizer lauded him back in 2014
as “the perfect ambassador for our sport”.
Putin has made much of his fondness for keeping fit
with judo and ice hockey.
Putin’s suspension comes on the back of a range of
sporting punishments for Russia.
European football’s governing body UEFA stripped
Saint Petersburg of the hosting of the May 28 Champions League final – their
most prestigious club competition – and Formula One cancelled the Russian Grand
Prix scheduled for September 25.
Both Poland and Sweden have said they will not play
Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs with the Swedish Government, hoping to
persuade their 27 European Union partners to implement a blanket sporting ban.
This includes barring Russian athletes from competing on
European Union soil.
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