The Ukrainian government doesn't want its athletes competing against Russians. But some think that sends out the wrong message and risks surrendering the platform of international sport to Russian propaganda.
International Judo Federation director general Vlad Marinescu has
defended the organisation’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian
judoka to compete at the World Championships here, insisting it is
"unfair" to deny them the chance to qualify for next year’s Olympics
in Paris.
The World Judo Championships, which open in Doha on Sunday, will be the first major international competition to welcome back Russian and Belarusian athletes, who have been excluded from most sporting events since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The World Judo Championships, which open in Doha on Sunday, will be the first major international competition to welcome back Russian and Belarusian athletes, who have been excluded from most sporting…