Ukrainian judoists will not go to the tournament because of the entry of the Russians

The country federation has announced a boycott of all competitions with the participation of athletes from aggressor countries.

The International Judo Federation has made a bizarre decision aimed at athletes from aggressor countries. A few days ago, the IJF relaxed sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes and allowed them to compete on a neutral status.

This decision was immediately responded to in Ukraine. A letter was written in which it was stated that in this case the Ukrainians refused to participate in the contests.

The international federation replied that they would not change the decision, as they did not want to discriminate against athletes. The letter was signed by IJF President Marius Vizer from Romania.

“Sport will always be a unique bridge between nations. We are really against war, but also against hatred. Young people, especially athletes, must be role models for themselves and those in the future. generation.

Athletes cannot be held accountable for the decisions of certain leaders, especially in an environment where they would rather compete than go to war. Sport is friendship, unity, solidarity and peace.

In judo we do not encourage division and hatred. No negative force should be allowed to divide a family like the judo family, and we should also be an example to other communities.

I am deeply disappointed with the fact that in this battle we are only talking about the victory of one side or the other, and not about peace.

We must be the ones who, through sport, inspire the parties to the conflict and show them that peace is the only solution to stop the conflict and restore global stability.

We must be united in good and bad times. We cannot punish people who are not responsible for the actions of others. It means discrimination, and in our sport there is no room for war, politics and discrimination, ”the letter said.

But even in Ukraine they will not give up their decision, considering that it is impossible to compete with athletes from aggressor countries.

“There is the position of the IJF, and I thank them for their response. And there is the position of the FDU, which we announced earlier – if the Russian and Belarusian judokas are not suspended from the competition, we will not participate in the competitions. under the auspices of the IJF.No new statements.

We can do nothing otherwise. A brutal war is taking place in the country, aimed at destroying Ukraine as a country: crippled children, thousands of dead civilians, destroyed houses, entire cities and villages destroyed on the face of the earth, soldiers are dying .

Among the dead were judo coaches. And all because one sees the borders of our country in their own way. And, by the way, not only us, “wrote Mikhail Koshlyak, President of the Judo Federation of Ukraine.

It should be noted that a week later, on June 24, the Grand Slam judo tournament will begin in Mongolia. Thus, the Ukrainian team will miss the competition in Ulaanbaatar.

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