“It’s time to make a decision that will change my life again. It wasn’t easy, but my ambitions leave me no choice. I can’t sacrifice everything I’ve experienced. It’s been the longest and hardest summer of my life, especially emotionally. But, as they say, everything that doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” Makhmadbekov wrote.
He also noted that it was very difficult for him to leave the Russian national team, in which he grew up and represented the country on the international stage for nine years, starting at the age of 15. Makhmadbekov stressed that he still loves Russia and is grateful to all the coaches and the Russian Judo Federation for their support. “It was incredibly difficult to make such a decision, because my whole life was connected with these people, this is my family. But if I wanted to achieve my goals, I had to do it,” the athlete added.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed Makhmadbekov to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The organization’s website said he had accepted the invitation, but the Russian Judo Federation said Makhmadbekov, like other admitted judokas, had refused to participate in the Games. As a result, the athlete missed the competition.
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Source: Sport
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