Lisbon, Jan 23 (EFE).- The Ukrainian Embassy in Portugal denounced this Tuesday that at least ten Russian athletes who are registered in the Portuguese Judo Grand Prix with neutral individual status are soldiers from the Armed Forces of their country and requested be prevented from participating.
In a statement published on its website, the Embassy assured that the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine knows that, of the more than 20 Russian judokas registered in the Grand Prix, at least a dozen are military personnel.
“The participation in Portugal is planned, under the pretext of neutrality, of people involved in terrible crimes in Ukraine, committed by Russian troops, of which they are part,” the legation said.
The Embassy urged the Executive Commission of the International Judo Federation and the Portuguese Judo Federation to reject the participation of Russian uniformed men in sports competitions and “not to become accomplices of the aggressor and his criminal behavior.”
“The Kremlin will use all Russian athletes as a weapon in its propaganda war aimed at undermining European unity and overcoming opposition to destructive Russian narratives,” insisted the Ukrainian diplomatic headquarters on Portuguese soil.
The Portuguese Judo Grand Prix will take place in Odivelas, a town neighboring Lisbon, between January 26 and 28. EFE
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2024-01-23 18:27:20
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