An Olympic judo athlete has been banned from competition in part because he made the sign of the cross at this year’s Olympic Games. Source: CNA.
Serbian judo world champion Nemanja Majdov was hit with a five-month ban by the International Judo Foundation (IJF) after having made the ancient Christian sign while competing in the Paris games in July.
In a statement posted to its website on Wednesday, the IJF criticised what it said were “numerous false claims and erroneous information that are circulating in the public domain” regarding the ban.
While the IJF admitted that Majdov, a Serbian Orthodox, was banned in part because he violated the league’s rules on having made a “clear religious sign” on the field of play, the conference said he broke several other league directives as well.
Specifically, Majdov “refused to bow to his opponent at the end of the contest,” and he also “removed [his] judogi in the field of play.” A judogi is the official uniform of the martial art.
The ban on religious symbols in the federation’s competitions “is strictly related to the field of play, which is a space dedicated exclusively for judo and where only the judo specific signs and rules are on display, equally for all,” the statement said.
In an Instagram post responding to the decision, Majdov said he “did not want to apologise for the [sign of the cross], and of course I did not, nor will I ever.”
“The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career, and he is No. 1 for me and I am proud of that,” the athlete said.
“And that will not change under any condition. Glory to him and thanks for everything.”
FULL STORY
Judo athlete banned for five months, sign of the cross at Olympics one of several factors (By Daniel Payne, CNA)
