The press service of the International Judo Federation (IJF) reported today, on Saturday, that the executive committee of the federation has decided to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under the auspices of the organization in a neutral status.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) said in a statement: “The Executive Committee of the International Judo Federation has decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in IJF competitions as individual neutral athletes,” Russian news agency TASS reported.
It is noteworthy that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been involved in judo since childhood, has the title of “master” in judo and sambo.
In 2006, he became Honorary President of the European Judo Federation, and in 2010 he received his Doctorate in Judo from Yong University in South Korea and holds a black belt in karate.
Source: “tass.ru”