The Ukrainian federation claims that some of these judokas are also active soldiers.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) on Sunday gave the green light for the presence of Russians and Belarusians at these world championships on condition that they do so individually and as neutral athletes.
But the Ukrainian federation said Monday that "the majority of the Russian team is composed of athletes who are active soldiers in the army of the Russian Federation that attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022" and that "continues to wage a brutal war against our territory."
"More than 250 Ukrainian athletes have given their lives to defend the country and among them judokas," says the Ukrainian federation, adding: "we see neither neutrality nor equal treatment nor a +bridge for peace+ as the international federation says in its resolution on the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the World Championships in Doha."
"In addition, we consider that this decision contradicts the latest recommendations of the International Olympic Committee of March 28, 2023 saying that a neutral athlete status can only be granted to those who are not military," the Ukrainian federation added.
© 2023 AFP