The International Judo Federation IJF let Russian sports soldiers compete in the Grand Slam tournament in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator. Twenty-four Russian judoka took part in the weekend’s competition, which counted towards qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including several who hold officer and non-commissioned officer ranks in the Russian army. Madina Taimassova, for example, who won the class up to 70 kilograms, holds the rank of sergeant. Like the other Russian judoka, the IJF declared them to be “neutral athletes” and allowed them to compete under the association flag. Sport is not politics, said IJF Director General Vlad Marinescu. Judo is one of the few Olympic sports in which Russians are still allowed to compete, despite the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Ukrainian federation boycotted the competition in Mongolia and in an open letter to the IJF referred to the ranks of the Russian judoka. Judo schools in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mikolajiv, Mariupol, Sumy and Irpin were destroyed or damaged by Russian bombs and projectiles. More than 15 dojos are unusable and three judo trainers have lost their lives, according to the letter from the President of the Ukrainian federation, Mykhailo Koshlyak. “Anyone who follows world sports a little understands that Russian athletes are an important part of this country’s aggressive propaganda policy. Speaking of Russia and sport, one can by no means say that sport stays out of politics. The silence of Russian and Belarusian athletes and coaches supports the war against Ukraine and kills thousands of Ukrainian citizens.” Until the event in Ulaanbaatar, the Russian judokas had stayed away on the grounds that the IJF had “logistical and security” concerns.
The Wimbledon organizers have provided free tickets for Ukrainian refugees. The All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Lawn Tennis Association invited refugees who have settled in the London districts of Merton and Wandsworth to the Grand Slam tournament for the coming Sunday via the website of the racial classic. According to British media reports, 400 Ukrainians are said to have settled in Merton. In addition, the association has pledged to donate £250,000 (€306,000) to the victims of the Russian invasion.
