IJF allows judoka from Russia and Belarus in IJF World Tour

The IJF Executive Committee has decided to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in IJF events as individual neutral athletes. The Executive Committee has decided to engage an independent, reputable company to perform background checks on all the individuals proposed for participation, including social media content, with specific reference to possible war propaganda. Only those athletes and support personnel who are cleared during this verification process will be eligible and considered for participation in events by the IJF Executive Committee.

The qualification for Paris 2024 has already begun, underway since June 2022. With the World Championships - Doha 2023 being held from 7th to 14th May, with significant points to be awarded, this decision allows the possibility for fair participation and equal chances to all judo athletes who are pursuing their Olympic dreams.

The United Nations has long supported the notion that everyone has the right to participate in sport. In 2019, the UN noted that, “all forms of discrimination and prejudice have no place in sport and physical activity” and called on governments to ensure that all citizens are able to compete without restriction.

The Russian team and Belarussian team will now fight as Neutral Individual Athletes under the iJF flag and consists of 20 athletes including two from Belarus.