Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the sport’s regulatory body stated on Sunday.
Moscow has ordered its soldiers to move in Ukraine “from all directions” as the crisis enters its fourth day, while the West replied late Saturday with sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s banking sector.
Since Russia entered Ukraine early Thursday, 198 civilians, including three children, have been murdered, according to Ukrainian officials.
“In view of the current crisis… in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s role as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” according to a statement from the IJF.
Since 2008, Putin, an outstanding judoka who was given an eighth dan in 2014 — one of the sport’s highest levels — has served as honorary president.
In 2014, IJF president Marius Vizer praised him as “the ideal spokesperson for our sport.”
Putin has made judo and ice hockey a big part of his fitness regimen.
Putin’s suspension follows a slew of sporting sanctions against Russia.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, has stripped Saint Petersburg of the right to host the Champions League final, the continent’s most important club game, on May 28. Formula One has also canceled the Russian Grand Prix set for September 25.
According to AFP, Poland and Sweden have agreed not to play Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs in order to persuade their 27 European Union allies to impose a blanket sporting ban.
This includes prohibiting Russian athletes from competing on EU soil.
