In judo the “neutral” delegation of Russian athletes included some previously listed by the Defense Ministry as holding military ranks. Ukraine boycotted the world championships in both judo and taekwondo, taking a big hit to its Olympic qualifying hopes, after Russians were allowed to compete. Sports like fencing, judo and taekwondo have seen some of the bitterest disputes.
That could mean any Russian return only happens at two last-chance qualifying tournaments in early 2024.
A plan to qualify Russians via the Asian Games has been suggested but not confirmed. Qualifiers were held at the European Games in June but the host nation, Poland, refused to allow any Russian athletes. The IOC is running Olympic boxing in Paris and qualifiers in-house after a long-running feud with the International Boxing Association and its Russian president. This is the one sport the IOC has total control over, but that doesn’t mean a quick decision.
0 kommentar(er)
