Algerian Judoka identified as Fethi Nourine has been sent home from the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, for refusing to face an Israeli opponent.
According to reports, the Algerian Judoka was scheduled to face Israeli Tohar Butbul in the second round of the 73kg division if he won against Mohamed Abdalrasool of Sudan on Monday. But he decided to withdraw before those matches, citing his support for Palestine.
Nourine, along with his coach Amar Benikhlef, have now been banished from the Games.
The pair revealed they took their stance in support of the ongoing Palestinean cause, with Nourine telling Algerian TV: ‘We were unlucky with the draw. We got an Israeli opponent and that’s why we had to retire. We made the right decision.’
“We worked a lot to reach the Olympics. But the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this,” Nourine said in explaining his decision.
The International Judo Federation’s (IFJ) executive committee has temporarily suspended Nourine and Benikhlef, who are likely to face sanctions beyond the Olympics.
“The IJF has a strict non-discrimination policy, promoting solidarity as a key principle, reinforced by the values of judo.” They called the withdrawal “in total opposition to the philosophy of the International Judo Federation.”
The Algerian Olympic committee then withdrew both men’s accreditation and made plans to send them home.
The IJF said Nourines position was in total opposition to the philosophy of the International Judo Federation.
The IJF has a strict non-discrimination policy, promoting solidarity as a key principle, reinforced by the values of judo.