Vladimir Putin sacked as Honorary President and Ambassador of IJF
Vladimir Putin (Image Credit : Twitter)
Due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has suspended its association with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is not the first instance where a Russian has been sanctioned by other countries and foreign institutions due to their actions against Ukraine. European teams such as England, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have refused to play against Russia in the World Cup play-offs.
FIFA World Cup holders France have called for the Russian team to be discarded from the 2022 showpiece event in Qatar. On the other hand, Formula One has cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix. Apart from this, the International Chess Federation has cancelled the Chess Olympiad and FIDE Congress, which were scheduled later this year in the country. In European football, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich might be sanctioned over the Ukraine crisis.
Now, the IJF has decided to suspend Putin from the post of Honorary President and Ambassador of the federation. The Russian president has served at the post since 2008. Notably, he received eighth dan in 2014, which is one of the highest levels in the sport. He is also an accomplished judoka.
Meanwhile, the federation has added that the sports community must remain strong to promote peace and friendship. Last week, the federation has cancelled the 2022 Grand Slam, which was scheduled for Kazan, Russia in May.
“In light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” the federation confirmed in an official statement.
“We, the sports community, must remain united and strong, to support each other and our universal values, in order to always promote peace and friendship, harmony and unity,” they had said in an official statement.
