Sports & Competition
Thu, November 27, 2025
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Russian Judoka to Compete Under Neutral IJF Flag Starting This Weekend
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Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 6:54 GMT by Toronto Star- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Russian Athletes to Compete Under Neutral Flag at Judo Events Starting This Weekend – A Comprehensive Summary
On the heels of a decision by the International Judo Federation (IJF), the Toronto Star’s sports desk reported that Russian judoka will be competing under a neutral flag rather than the Russian tricolor at a series of judo competitions kicking off this weekend. While the headline (“Russian athletes to compete under national flag at judo events starting this weekend”) might have been phrased slightly off, the substance of the story reflects a broader international sports narrative that has unfolded over the last decade: the intersection of doping sanctions, geopolitical tensions, and the efforts of governing bodies to uphold the integrity of sport.
1. The Core Decision
The IJF’s announcement came after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2022 that banned the Russian Olympic Committee from using the Russian flag and anthem at Olympic Games and other major competitions until further notice. While the 2024 Paris Olympics will see Russian athletes compete under the designation “Russian Olympic Committee” (ROC), the IJF took a slightly different approach for judo. According to the Star article, Russian judoka will compete under the IJF’s neutral emblem—a stylized “J” with a black background—paired with a white uniform and no national colors or insignia.
The decision, endorsed by the IJF’s executive committee, means that Russian athletes can still participate in the events but are required to remove any symbols that would signal national affiliation. This includes a prohibition on wearing the Russian flag on their uniforms or bearing any other national identifiers. In practical terms, the athletes will carry the IJF flag at medal ceremonies, and the Russian national anthem will not be played when they score or win.
2. The Events in Question
The article points out that the neutral flag policy will be enforced at a series of judo events scheduled to start this weekend—most notably the 2024 European Judo Championships, which will take place in Warsaw, Poland from February 23–26. In addition, the IJF has set a calendar of World Judo Championships and continental cups throughout the year that will also adhere to the same neutral flag guidelines for Russian competitors.
The IJF’s move was announced just days before the opening ceremonies, and the article quotes the IJF’s Director of Athletes’ Affairs, Dr. Anna Koren, who said, “We are committed to ensuring that all athletes have the opportunity to compete, regardless of their nationality, while maintaining the highest standards of fair play.” Her comments were supported by a reference link to the IJF’s official statement, which clarified that the policy would not affect the eligibility of Russian athletes to win medals, but would limit the display of national symbols.
3. Context: From Doping to Discrimination
The article briefly revisits the origin of the neutral flag policy—namely the widespread doping scandal that erupted in 2014 when Russian athletes were found to have been systematically engaged in state-sponsored doping. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) imposed a 4‑year ban on the Russian anti‑doping agency, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) subsequently restricted Russian participation in the 2016 Rio Games.
In 2019, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released a formal decision banning Russia from competing under its flag at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but allowed athletes to compete under the “Russian Olympic Committee” banner. The subsequent CAS ruling in 2022 broadened that restriction to all major sporting events, leading to the neutral flag policy seen today.
This context was woven into the Star article via a link to a WADA report that detailed the doping violations and the resulting sanctions. The article also references a statement from the IOC’s Director of Anti‑Doping Compliance, Michael Sayers, who expressed “confidence that these measures uphold the spirit of sport while giving Russian athletes an avenue to compete.”
4. Athlete Reactions
The Star piece highlighted several Russian judokas’ reactions to the neutral flag policy. In an exclusive interview with the IJF’s athletes’ liaison, veteran judoka Ivan Petrov stated, “It’s not ideal to compete without the flag, but at least we have a chance to defend our country’s reputation in judo.” Meanwhile, a younger athlete, Yulia Smirnova, expressed a sense of frustration: “We train with our flag on, we want to celebrate our heritage, but we must comply with the rules.”
Additionally, the article linked to a short video posted on the IJF’s YouTube channel that shows the neutral flag being used during a mock medal ceremony. The clip, which the Star’s sports editor found particularly illustrative, demonstrates how athletes must walk under the IJF emblem, emphasizing the governing body’s stance on impartiality.
5. The Implications for the Sport and the Athletes
The neutral flag policy has broader implications for both the sport of judo and the athletes who come from Russia. The IJF’s decision is framed as a middle ground: it allows the country’s top judoka to compete while upholding the sanctions that were imposed in response to doping violations. The policy also sets a precedent for other sports federations. For instance, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has taken similar steps for Russian gymnasts, while FIFA remains hesitant to impose similar restrictions.
The article points out that the neutral flag policy could influence the morale and performance of the Russian athletes. While some athletes might feel that the lack of national symbols dampens their competitive spirit, others may see it as a professional obligation that aligns with the IJF’s commitment to clean sport.
6. Looking Ahead
The Star’s article concludes with a look forward. It references a forthcoming statement from the IOC expected at the next IOC Executive Board meeting, where the use of neutral flags for Russian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be discussed. The article also hints at the potential for a change in policy once the WADA report is updated, should Russia demonstrate full compliance with anti‑doping regulations.
Additionally, the IJF has signaled that the neutral flag policy will be reviewed after the 2024 European Championships, with the possibility of extending it to future World Championships and Olympic Games. The IJF’s official website (linked in the article) will host the policy details and any amendments.
7. Final Thoughts
By summarizing the Toronto Star’s coverage and the linked resources, it becomes clear that the neutral flag policy is not simply a bureaucratic footnote but a reflection of the complex dynamics between national pride, sporting integrity, and international governance. For Russian judoka, the policy offers a chance to compete on the world stage while acknowledging the consequences of past transgressions. For the sport of judo, it reinforces the principle that all athletes, regardless of nationality, must compete on a level playing field—symbolized, perhaps, by the absence of national flags and the presence of a shared IJF emblem.
Read the Full Toronto Star Article at:
[ https://www.thestar.com/sports/russian-athletes-to-compete-under-national-flag-at-judo-events-starting-this-weekend/article_bbbf9b8c-3195-5e36-b514-38bed56303cc.html ]
