— Posted on February 28, 2022
Judo
The sanction may seem anecdotal, but it says a lot about Russia’s isolation in the international sports movement since its invasion of Ukraine. The International Judo Federation (IJF) announced on Sunday February 27 the “suspension” of the status of honorary president and ambassador of Vladimir Putin. The Russian president is not banned, but only suspended from an honorary status obtained in 2008. He could also lose his 8th dan, one of the highest ranks in judo, granted in 2012. Vladimir Putin is the only Russian raised to this rank in the discipline. “Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of the status of Mr. Vladimir Putin as Honorary President and Ambassador of the Federation“, wrote the body chaired by Marius Vizer. Confirmed judoka, the Russian president attended the world championships in Budapest, in 2017 and 2021.
