The International Judo Federation (IJF) will conduct an investigation into the incident at the Paris Olympics involving Algerian judoka Dries Messaoud, the organization’s press service reports.
In the first round of the competition, Dris, competing in the weight category up to 73 kg, was to fight against Tokhar Butbul. The federation’s statement said that the Algerian arrived at the weigh-in 10 minutes early and was subsequently disqualified for being overweight (400 grams over the limit). The Israeli Olympic Committee called Messaoud’s actions deliberate.
— Similar incidents can happen in any competition. At the Tokyo Olympics, four athletes failed to control their weight.
The IJF adheres to the principles of fair play, the Olympic spirit and non-discrimination. We believe that sport must remain a space of fairness and justice, free from the influence of international conflicts. Unfortunately, athletes are often victims of broader political controversies that go against the values of sport.
According to IJF rules, any athlete who fails to gain weight during official testing is disqualified from the competition. We cannot explain why Dries is overweight, but we remain committed to ensuring that all athletes compete on an equal and fair basis.
After the Olympic Games, a full investigation and review of the situation will be conducted and further action will be taken if necessary, the press release said.
At the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, Algerian judoka Fethi Nourin withdrew from the competition for political reasons, as he could meet Butboul in the second round. The athlete and his coach were subsequently suspended by the IJF for 10 years.
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Source : MatchTV
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.
