Posted on 07/24/21
| News Source: i24
World body cites 'strict non-discrimination policy, promoting solidarity as a key principle'
The International Judo Federation suspended on Saturday an Algerian judoka and his coach for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympic Games before his event started, after the draw set him on course for a match against an Israeli.
Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef gave individual statements to the media announcing their withdrawal from the competition to avoid meeting an Israeli athlete during the event, the IJF said in a statement.
Nourine’s withdrawal was “in total opposition to the philosophy of the International Judo Federation”, it said.
“The IJF has a strict non-discrimination policy, promoting solidarity as a key principle, reinforced by the values of judo,” it said.
The IJF launched an investigation into the case, leading to a temporary suspension of Nourine and Benikhlef.
The Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew the accreditation for both the athlete and coach and would send them home, applying sanctions accordingly, the IJF said, without further elaboration on the type of sanctions.
On Friday, Nourine told Algerian media that his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Israeli Tohar Butbul.