Kazan (AP) – The world judo association has relieved Russian President Vladimir Putin and his childhood friend and oligarch Arkady Rotenberg of all their positions.
In the brief JIJ statement, no reason was given for the move, nor was any reference made to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The world association had already suspended Putin (69) as honorary president and sports ambassador last week and called the “ongoing war conflict in Ukraine” in its statement. The head of the Kremlin, Putin, is himself a black belt. Rotenberg kept his position as a member of the Executive Committee until this Sunday. The 70-year-old is considered a close confidant and supporter of Putin. They were both among others in the same judo club in their childhood.
A week ago, Sergei Soloweitschik also announced his resignation as president of the European Judo Federation. The Russian had led the EJU since 2007.
In judo, the influence of Russia is enormous. The president of the World Association, Marius Vizer, is considered a friend of Putin. In addition, the two largest associations (IJF and EJU) are supported by numerous Russian companies.
