Fri, November 28, 2025
IJF lifts ban on Russian athletes competing under national flag
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has ignited outrage by permitting Russian athletes to officially represent Russia under its flag, despite the country still being banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which commenced after Russia’s invasion in 2022 with backing from Belarus. The IJF reinstated full national representation to Belarusian athletes on 1 June 2025.
According to Ukrainian Judo Federation (UJF), the IJF is the first Olympic federation to “openly disregard” recommendations from the IOC. The IOC currently ensures that Russian and Belarusian teams are banned, with athletes from those countries having to go through a vetting process to then compete without their national flag, anthem or colours.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has lifted restrictions, though the IBA is no longer recognised by the IOC. However, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted in September 2025 to lift restrictions on these athletes too.
The IJF will allow the Russian flag, anthem and insignia, starting from the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam taking place from 28 – 30 November 2025. The IJF stated that sport must be “neutral, independent, and free from political influence.” It stated that all athletes must be treated “without discrimination according to the Olympic Charter.”
It expressed: “Sport is the last bridge that unites people and nations in very difficult conflict situations and environments. Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes.”
President of the Russian Judo Federation (RJF), Sergey Soloveichik, told TASS that: “Judo preaches courage, determination, and justice. Now everyone has been able to see this in action once again - this is the real policy of the international federation…
We are proud to be part of this international sports family, which supported the decision. And we expect that national federations and countries will also support it. And those who have forgotten will remember for what purposes sport exists, in addition to the education of strength.”
In response to this decision, the UJF stated in protest that: “In its statement, the IJF speaks of ‘building bridges.’ However, what bridges can be built with a state which every day kills Ukrainians, destroys their homes, and wipes cities and civilian infrastructure off the face of the earth?...
Ukraine pays with the lives of its citizens every day. Among the victims are athletes, coaches, volunteers, and children. At the same time, the IJF calls for ‘inclusivity’ toward representatives of the aggressor state - many of whom have publicly supported the war against Ukraine and are an integral part of the state’s propaganda machine…
The Ukrainian Judo Federation views this decision as one that contradicts the principles of peace, justice, and responsibility, and undermines trust in international sports institutions.”
The UJF previously boycotted the World Judo Championships in 2023 and the World Judo Championships in June 2025. Russian athlete Inal Tasoev became the 2025 World Champion under the IJF flag.
In response to the recent update, Tasoev voiced: “We all began to congratulate each other, very happy. Before, without the flag, there were more questions about our numbers and patches - it was sometimes unpleasant. Thank God, they returned it.”
The IJF’s statement can be found here.
The UJF’s statement can be found here.
Soloveichik’s statement can be found here.
