The International Federation called Russia's admission "protecting the lives of people on both sides."

The head of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Marius Wieser defended the Russian athletes, whom the organization had previously allowed the Russian Federation to the World Cup in neutral status. The functionary expressed confidence that the admission of athletes from the aggressor country to the tournaments allows them to avoid participating in the war against Ukraine.

Wieser said this in an interview with Inside the Games. He added that the IJF expresses its support for the Ukrainian people, but the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes is a manifestation of discrimination, and "sport has nothing to do with politics and war."

Recall that Ukraine boycotted the World Judo Championship after the admission of Russia. At the tournament itself, fans from Russia were kicked out of the stands because of the St. George's ribbon.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the Olympic champion from Russia Svetlana Zhurova with the words "how long the world will still tolerate it" accused Ukraine of provocation at the judo World Cup.

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