They will be able to play at the next tournament in Mongolia on June 24-26. Despite the full-scale war that Russia, with the assistance of Belarus, continues to wage against Ukraine, the International Judo Federation decided to allow athletes from the aggressor countries to compete.

The corresponding statement was published on the official website of the organization..

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This decision gives all athletes an equal chance to rise above discrimination, politics, conflict or other non-sport related issues.. Sport is an important social tool, a bridge for rebuilding communities and a better world society.

The world is currently in a struggle due to the conflict between two countries whose national judo federations are members of the IJF.. Athletes are not penalized for problems they cannot control. And, as IOC President Thomas Bach recently stated, " We firmly believe that discrimination against a neutral athlete is contrary to human rights.

International Judo Federation strongly condemns war in Ukraine. We hope peace will be restored very soon. Since the sports movement has a powerful impact on the whole world, we believe that this decision will be a bridge to the restoration of peace,"

The Head of the Judo Federation of Ukraine Mykhailo Koshlyak reacted with indignation to the decision of the IJF. He said that if Russians and Belarusians are allowed to compete, then Ukraine will refuse to take part in them..

" Aggression from Russia has not gone away, we are on the 107th day of the war, people are dying, cities are burning from Russian missiles and artillery. It's like in general?

If the IJF allows the teams of the terrorist countries of Russia and Belarus to its starts, the Ukrainian judo team will refuse to participate in all subsequent competitions under the auspices of the International Judo Federation. We have already discussed this with the coaching staff of the team, here we have a common opinion. Official statements from the Judo Federation of Ukraine will be in the coming days,"