Ukraine World Judo Boicota after Belarus’s confirmation: ‘Disrespect’

Given the position of IJF, the Ukrainian Judo Federation decided to make the decision not to send the official delegation of the Ukrainian National Judo team to the World Cup. The competition will be held from June 13 to 19, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary.

The Ukrainian Judo Federation vehemently condemns the decision of the International Judo Federation and considers it contrary to the fundamental principles of justice, responsibility and solidarity in the global sports movement. We firmly believe that allowing athletes from aggressor countries to compose under their national symbols is not only a case of political blindness, but also a blatant disrespect for the victims of war and international law. The Ukrainian Judo Federation will continue to defend a position based on moral values, freedom and the dignity of the Ukrainian people Ukrainian Judo Federation, in an official note

Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been firmly positioned against the participation of Russian and Belarussian athletes in international competitions. Until then, the athletes were allowed to compete as ‘individual neutral athletes’ in individual sports without flags, emblems or hymns, as happened at the Paris Olympic Games.

Russians and Belarusians were prohibited from competing internationally after the Ukraine invasion of Russia in 2022for which Belarus was used as a base.

See the official note of the Ukrainian Judo Federation

On May 16, 2025, the official website of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus published information about a decision of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Executive Committee, according to which, from June 1, 2025, Belarusian athletes will be able to participate in all international competitions under their national symbols.