Olympic sport federation allows Russians to compete under own flag

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has reinstated the right of Russian athletes to compete at international tournaments under their national flag, the first Olympic sport federation to do so.   

Athletes from Russia and Belarus were barred from major sporting events after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, as nearly all Olympic-sport federations introduced bans or strict limits across dozens of disciplines. The restrictions sidelined hundreds of competitors worldwide. Participation was later reopened on a limited basis, allowing select athletes to compete individually as neutrals.  

The IJF said in a statement on Thursday its executive committee had voted to allow Russian athletes to compete again under their national flag “with anthem and insignia,” starting at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. The decision “reaffirms the federation’s role as a truly global organization” and “strengthens its commitment to fair, transparent and values-based governance,” the federation noted.  

“Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels while upholding the IJF’s principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect,” the IJF said.  

The body added that “sport must remain neutral, independent and free from political influence,” saying judo “always promotes friendship, respect, solidarity and peace.”  

The IJF became the first Olympic sport federation to allow Russian athletes to return to international competition with their national flag and anthem.  

Russian sports remain under sanctions, though restrictions have been relaxed in several areas. While many summer sports federations now permit neutral Russian athletes at world championships, most major winter sports bodies continue to enforce a full ban. Consequently, only a handful of Russian athletes in a few winter disciplines have so far qualified for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.   
Russian officials have repeatedly accused Western nations of politicizing sport and pressuring federations to exclude their athletes. In 2022 and 2023 alone, Russia missed 186 international sporting events, including 36 major tournaments due to sanctions, according to the Russian Sports Ministry.

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry recently urged governments and event organizers to ensure equal access for all athletes and preserve sport as a politically neutral space, stressing that every eligible competitor must be able to participate without discrimination. She appealed to host nations to “guarantee access for all,” describing sport as a “beacon of hope” and a “neutral ground.”