Judoka Khalmurzaev on his suspension for supporting Palestine: “I considered it necessary to express my position”

Olympic judo champion Khasan Khalmurzaev on , he said his pro-Palestine post was the position of every sane person.

In mid-October, Khalmurzaev was temporarily suspended from competition due to a violation of the Russian Judo Federation’s internal regulations. This decision was taken in response to the athlete’s publications on social networks.

– Firstly, I don’t think I’ve done anything grandiose or courageous. Because, to me, every sane person should express their opinion. It doesn’t matter where it happens, in Palestine, China or Africa. What is observed is very difficult to see. Of course, I found it necessary to express my position and talk about it.

“But then you took down the Palestinian flag and then you gave it back. » What was going on there?

— The question was that the whole team could suffer. That was the question. I didn’t want her to get hurt. It’s just that I don’t want to comment on the problem with the federation, I will talk about it later.

— When could you return?

— Until this is resolved, it’s a matter of time. Right now, this is how I am at home.

— Many people have expressed their support for you. Who did you receive them from and were there any threats?

— Many people supported it. We see today that many people around the world do not agree with what is happening in Palestine. The most important thing is that I expressed my opinion, everyone should say it. This is the position of a sane person on what is happening there,” Khalmurzaev said on the air of the program “There is a topic!” on the channel.

Khalmurzaev won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the weight category up to 81 kg. He also achieved victories at the European Championships and the Universiade, as well as bronze at the World Championships.