President of the Russian Judo Federation Sergei Soloveichik told that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had offered to discuss again the list of athletes admitted to the 2024 Games, but the federation responded: either everyone or no one.
Earlier, the IOC allowed four Russian judokas to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in neutral status. In total, the Russian team had 12 quotas for participation in the Games – 7 men and 5 women. After the IOC list was published, Soloveitchik told that Russian judokas would not participate in the 2024 Games.
— Was the decision of the Russian Judo Federation to refuse the Olympic Games taken jointly with the athletes?
— Initially, the decision was made by the Presidium of the Federation, but then we held a meeting with the athletes, where they independently made a decision, expressing their position. I am proud that we agreed and that the athletes adhere to this point of view. The Russian Judo Federation did everything possible to ensure that our athletes could participate in the Olympic Games. Initially, we stated that we were acting in the interests of sport and friendship. However, we also stated that we would not cross the red line and would not sign statements of disagreement with the policy of our country.
Yes, we understood that we would be checked by the Sportradar agency. They checked our athletes, their statements in the media, social networks for their involvement in the SVO. Throughout a year and a half of qualifying competitions, our team was constantly under the control of this agency, for the work of which we paid. This is decent money, but the main thing is not something else – we could have spent a hundred times more. The main thing is that we fulfilled all the conditions so that in the end our athletes would climb the podium of the Olympic Games. Even without the anthem, yes, but the fans would sing it in front of their TV, I am sure.
The medals won during the year and a half of selection went to our athletes. And everyone said that they were Russian medals. And now the reason for the IOC’s refusal is completely unsportsmanlike. This is the wish of some interested parties, so that the Russians do not remain on a pedestal. And we cannot accept this. We spoke with the IOC sports director. During the dialogue, it was said from our side that if we had initially been told that there were other selection criteria, we would have thought about whether to apply them. But they explained to us the rules that we followed and now they are not letting us in. When we said this, the next day the IOC sports director contacted us again and invited us to discuss. His suggestion was to discuss the list again, but to review the names. We did not agree because we would have the same answers for everyone. We said: either everyone or no one.
We were told that we might still receive new information from them, but so far we have not received anything. Apparently they have made the selection a trade item.
– What can they offer?
– I don’t know. And I don’t even want to think about it yet. It is unworthy that an organization like the IOC hosts such games. We are used to treating the history of the Olympic Games with great respect, but today we see that the Olympic Games are turning into a political instrument, “Soloveichik told .
The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.
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I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
