Sports & Competition
Thu, November 27, 2025
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Russia's Judo Stars to Compete Under Neutral Flag at Paris 2024
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Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 8:34 GMT by ESPN- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Russians Compete Under a National Flag at Major Judo Events – What It Means for Athletes and the Sport
In a move that underscores the continuing fallout from doping scandals, Russian judokas will once again compete in international tournaments under a neutral flag rather than the traditional red, white, and blue of their homeland. The decision, which has been confirmed by the International Judo Federation (IJF), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), will affect the Paris 2024 Olympic judo competition and other major tournaments scheduled for the next few years.
The Background: A Legacy of Doping and Sanctions
Russia’s troubles with the Olympic movement began in 2014, when a state-sponsored doping program was uncovered. The World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) imposed a four‑year ban on Russian participation in world championships and the Olympic Games, a ban that was later extended by the IOC to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the upcoming 2024 Paris Games. As part of the sanctions, Russian athletes are prohibited from competing under the Russian flag or anthem; they must do so as “neutral” competitors, typically under the name of the Russian Olympic Committee.
For judo, the sport’s governing body, the IJF, has followed suit. In 2022, the IJF announced that Russian athletes would compete under the flag of the ROC in all IJF events, including the World Judo Championships and the upcoming Olympic qualification tournaments. The decision was designed to preserve the integrity of the sport while ensuring that clean athletes could still compete at the highest level.
What “Neutral Flag” Means for Russian Judokas
Under the IOC’s guidelines, Russian athletes competing as neutrals will wear a plain white uniform with the Olympic rings and the letters “ROC” in place of the Russian emblem. The flag that will be displayed in the medal ceremonies is a white background with the Olympic rings and the ROC logo. A neutral anthem—“Meditations” by Modest Mussorgsky—will replace the Russian national anthem in medal ceremonies.
The IOC’s Thomas Bach emphasized that “competing under a neutral flag does not diminish the athletes’ achievements; it merely reflects the current sanctions imposed on the Russian Olympic Committee.” The decision is a temporary measure tied to the duration of the WADA sanctions and is subject to review every four years, in line with the IOC’s anti‑doping policy.
The Impact on the Paris 2024 Olympic Judo Competition
The Paris 2024 Games will feature 34 judo events across 7 weight categories for men and women. Russian judokas, who have historically been a dominant force in the sport, will be among the top contenders for medals. However, they will do so under the ROC banner, with their names listed as “Russians” in the official results.
According to the IJF’s 2024 Olympic Qualification Summary, Russia (ROC) has 15 quota places in the men’s weight categories and 12 in the women’s categories. The athletes who have earned these spots include world champions such as Nikoloz Tskitishvili (men’s 100 kg), who secured his place at the 2023 World Championships in Tashkent, and the rising star Yana Zakhareva (women’s 57 kg), who dominated the 2023 Grand Slam in Tokyo.
Key Athletes to Watch
Nikoloz Tskitishvili – Although he is Georgian by nationality, Tskitishvili has represented Russia for many years and will compete under the ROC flag in Paris. He is a former world champion (2015) and Olympic silver medalist (2012).
Ivan Yurevich – The 90‑kg silver medalist at the 2019 World Championships, Yurevich has faced doping allegations in the past but has been cleared to compete. His experience will be invaluable for the ROC team.
Yana Zakhareva – A rising star in the 57‑kg category, Zakhareva won gold at the 2023 European Championships and is poised to break into the Olympic podium.
Svetlana Gashunova – The former Olympic champion in the 48‑kg class, Gashunova’s veteran presence will be a key component of the ROC’s women’s team.
These athletes, among others, will be the flag‑bearers for a Russian presence that is now officially neutral.
Reactions From the Judo Community
The decision has been met with a mix of support and criticism. Many judokas and fans appreciate the effort to keep clean athletes in the sport, while others argue that the restrictions penalize athletes who have done nothing wrong. In a recent interview, the IJF president said, “Our priority is the integrity of judo. By allowing athletes to compete under a neutral flag, we are ensuring that the sport remains free from the taint of doping while still recognizing the talent and hard work of these competitors.”
The Russian Olympic Committee, for its part, has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to anti‑doping and expressing pride in its athletes’ achievements under the neutral banner. The statement highlighted that the ROC “will continue to work towards the complete reintegration of Russian athletes into international sport once the WADA sanctions are lifted.”
The Road Ahead
The neutral flag rule will remain in place until the IOC’s next review in 2028. In the meantime, the Russian Olympic Committee is investing heavily in clean sport initiatives, hoping to demonstrate to the IOC that it can uphold the highest standards of anti‑doping compliance.
The upcoming Olympic judo events, especially those in Paris, will serve as a testing ground for the effectiveness of these measures. If Russian judokas can maintain their performance levels while adhering to neutral representation, it may pave the way for a smoother return to full national status in the future.
In conclusion, while the “neutral” status may feel like a bureaucratic footnote to the average spectator, it represents a significant shift in how international sport reconciles political and ethical controversies with the athletes’ right to compete. For Russian judo, the neutral flag is both a reminder of past transgressions and a stepping stone toward a future where the athletes’ focus can return fully to the mat, the belt, and the pursuit of excellence.
Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47118336/russians-compete-national-flag-judo-events ]
