The International Judo Federation (IJF) writes on its website that it finds it appropriate to allow Russian participation without restrictions because it had previously decided to allow Belarusians to compete under its flag.
"Russia has been a leading nation in judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF's principles of fairness, inclusion and respect," the IJF wrote.
“We are happy”
In Russia, there is great joy over the historic decision because judo is close to the heart of President Vladimir Putin.
"We are happy that international judo is the first to take this historic decision," federation chairman Sergei Soloveitchik told AFP.
Swedish criticism
However, the Swedish Judo Federation does not think that Russia should have been given the green light.
We have a Nordic collaboration that is all agreed that we still want sanctions. But the international federation controls all activities. We are trying, but we are not getting there, Kristiina Pekkola tells TT.
Pekkola sits on the board of the European Judo Federation, which will meet on December 14.
That (the IJF's decision) will be an interesting issue to raise there, she says.
Russian and Belarusian judokas have been allowed to compete as neutral participants since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin was expelled from the IJF, where he was honorary president.
Russia boycotted the 2024 Olympic judo competitions because only 17 Russians were given the go-ahead to compete.
