Taekwondo and Swimming Followed by Judo Federation Cutting Ties with Putin... All Positions in the Federation Removed

Putin is a well-known Judo Enthusiast… Holder of Official 8th Dan
Previously Stripped of Honorary Black Belt by Taekwondo Federation… Swimming Federation Revoked His Medal

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] International sports communities are intensifying their condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following the global Taekwondo and Swimming federations, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has also joined in, dismissing President Putin, a reputed 'judo fanatic,' from all positions within the federation.

On the 7th (local time), the American daily The Washington Post (WP) reported that the IJF announced the previous day that President Putin has been removed from all positions, including honorary president and ambassador of the IJF. This came just one week after the federation announced the suspension of his related qualifications. Arkady Rotenberg, an oligarch with long-standing ties to President Putin, was also stripped of all his positions within the federation.

Earlier, the federation canceled the Russia Kazan Grand Slam tournament scheduled for May last month. IJF President Marius Vizer expressed "regret over the current international situation," but did not directly mention Russia or Ukraine.

President Putin, well known as a judo enthusiast, was appointed honorary president of the IJF in 2008 and awarded an honorary 8th dan in 2012. He has a record of winning judo competitions in his hometown of Saint Petersburg and published a judo manual titled "Judo: History, Theory, Practice" in 2008.

The sports community has been consecutively criticizing President Putin and revoking various honorary titles and medals previously awarded to him. At the end of last month, the World Taekwondo Federation (WT) decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan certificate it had given him in 2013. The International Swimming Federation announced the cancellation of the medal awarded to Putin. The University of Debrecen in Hungary also announced it would revoke the honorary doctorate degree awarded to President Putin in 2017.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) posted a statement on its official website on the 24th of last month, strongly condemning the Russian government for violating the Olympic Truce resolution. The IOC urged that the flags of Russia and Belarus not be displayed, nor their national anthems played at international sporting events. The International Gymnastics Federation also canceled all competitions scheduled in Russia and Belarus. Additionally, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) moved this year's Champions League final from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to Paris, France.

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