The president of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, defends the umbrella organization’s decision.
Marius Vizer (right) has close ties to Vladimir Putin. EPA / AOP
The International Judo Federation (IJF) decided to proceed according to the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee IOC and take the Russian athletes back to the World Championships.
In the games held in Qatar’s capital Doha, 17 Russian athletes competed with neutral national symbols.
President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer defended his organization’s decision after the Games.
– We constantly support Ukraine, but we are against discrimination. The presence of Russian athletes is proof to me that they can distance themselves from the war, because they could have decided to go to war, but decided to stay with the sport, commented Vizer to the Inside The Games website.
– We will send them to the front if we abandon them. With our decision, we protect lives on both sides.
Ukraine drew its own conclusions and decided to boycott the Games.
Vizer does not take a position on the boycott of Ukraine.
– They are free to decide what they want. I can only comment on the details of our sport. It’s up to them. We respect their decision.
– I hope the war will soon be over and we can join the Ukrainian judo family to our big judo family. It’s not the right decision, but it’s up to them.
Russian Arman Adamian celebrated the World Championship gold at the Games, as he won the world championship in the 100-kilogram category.
In addition to Adamian, another Russian athlete, Inal Tasoyev, won World Cup silver at the Games.
– I can see that they are a bit affected by this situation, but their behavior has been exemplary and I feel that the whole community has welcomed them and completely ignored discrimination, said Vizer.
The last bridge
The Judo Federation did a background check on the Russians who participated in the games and tried to check if they supported the war.
Eight athletes were denied entry to the Games as a result of the investigation.
– In our sport, there is no room for war, politics and discrimination. We are very sorry for the tragedy of the Ukrainian people. We are against war, but sport has nothing to do with politics and war.
– Sport is the last bridge that can connect us and the last bridge for dialogue. It’s the last door.
Finland’s World Cup representative Martti Puumalainen told at the end of last year that the best judokas of many countries also work in the army. This is also the case in Russia.
– Military sports are a big deal in Germany and Austria. In Russia and Brazil, everyone is working in the army, Puumalainen, who coaches in the Santahamina garrison, said at the end of last year, Puumalainen told Iltalehti in an interview.
Marius Vizer is the head of the International Judo Federation. EPA / AOP