International Judo Federation suspends Vladimir Putin as honorary president
Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sport’s governing body announced on Sunday.
#UPDATE Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine the sport's governing body announced#AFPSports pic.twitter.com/mQsdTkHQRk
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 27, 2022
“In light of the ongoing war… in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin’s status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation,” read the IJF statement.
Putin, an accomplished judoka who was awarded an eighth dan in 2014 — one of the highest levels in the sport, has been honorary president since 2008.
IJF president Marius Vizer lauded him back in 2014 as “the perfect ambassador for our sport”.