The United Nations has been a proponent of the belief that every individual should have the opportunity to engage in sports. Last year, the UN emphasized that any form of bias or intolerance should not be tolerated in physical activities and sports, and urged governments to guarantee unrestricted participation for all citizens.The Executive Committee of IJF has given permission for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in IJF events as individual neutral athletes. To ensure that all participants are suitable, the committee has hired a trustworthy and independent company to conduct background checks on all individuals who have been suggested for participation. This verification process will include an examination of social media content, with a particular focus on any potential war propaganda. Only those athletes and support staff who pass this verification process will be considered eligible for participation in IJF events by the Executive Committee.The process of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics has already started in June 2022. The World Championships in Doha, scheduled for May 7-14, 2023, will award significant points, ensuring that all judo athletes have a fair chance to pursue their Olympic dreams.
