Ukraine on Monday pulled its crew from the World Judo Championships in Qatar over the presence of Russian athletes it argued have been energetic troopers. The International Judo Federation (IJF) gave judokas from Russia and Belarus the inexperienced mild to compete on the May 7-14 championships in Doha on the proviso they compete as particular person impartial athletes. But the Ukrainian judo federation mentioned in an announcement that “the majority of the (Russian) team are athletes who are active servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, part of the army that attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022”.

A Russian military, the federation mentioned, that “is still waging a brutal full-scale war on our territory, shelling Ukrainian cities, civilian homes every day, killing civilians and children”.

“Instead, more than 250 Ukrainian athletes have given their lives defending the country. Among them are representatives of judo.”

The federation added: “We do not see here neutrality, equal conditions and a ‘bridge to peace’ as stated in the IJF Resolution on the participation of Russian and Belarusian teams in the World Championships in Doha.

“Moreover, we see right here a choice that contradicts the most recent suggestions of the International Olympic Committee of March 28, 2023, the place the IOC says that the standing of impartial athletes can solely be granted to these athletes who usually are not army personnel.”

IOC president Thomas Bach said last month that Russians and Belarusians banned from international competition would include “athletes who actively help the warfare” as well as “athletes who’re contracted to the Russian or Belarusian army or nationwide safety companies”.

Athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

As Moscow’s assault on Ukraine stretches into a second year, the IOC recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in upcoming international competitions.

The IOC says however it is yet to make a decision on whether Russians can take part at the Paris Olympics next year.

The announcement, made late last month, angered Ukrainian authorities, who have accused the global body in charge of Olympics of promoting war.

But Moscow has condemned what it says is “discrimination on the idea of nationality” and says all athletes must be allowed to compete.

The standoff between Kyiv and the IOC points to the widening fallout of the conflict and how sports bodies are facing pressure to appease both Moscow and Kyiv or find a fine line of neutrality.

Russian missile attacks across Ukraine early Monday wounded 34 people in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, including children, regional authorities said.

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