International Judo Federation suspends Putin's 'honorary presidency'

The International Judo Federation announced on Sunday the "suspension" of the honorary presidency of Vladimir Putin as its ambassador, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Due to the current conflict in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Vladimir Putin's position as Honorary President and Ambassador of the Federation," the International Judo Federation wrote in a statement.

Putin is a seasoned judoka who often shows his athletic side and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

His image contrasts markedly with that of his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, whose alcoholic adventures roamed the world in the 1990s.

The battle for Kiev continued on Sunday, the fourth day of Vladimir Putin's offensive in Ukraine, in a context marked by increasing Western pressure on Moscow by excluding Russian banks from the Swift platform and anticipating additional arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian-Russian crisis has had many repercussions on the world of professional sports.

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