Serbian judo world champion Nemanja Majdov vowed not to apologise after he was hit with a five-month ban for making the sign of the cross before he competed at the Paris Olympics. Majdov was accused of violating the International Judo Federation’s religious code for “having shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play” and was barred from participating in “all tournaments, camps and preparations.” Footage captured Majdov touching his forehead, stomach and then both shoulders as part of the Christian gesture ahead of his bout against Greece’s Theodoros Tselidis on July 31.
“15 days ago I received a decision that I was suspended for 5 months by the World Judo Federation (IJF) for violating their religious codes,” Majdov said on Instagram. “More precisely, because of [making a sign of the cross] when entering a match at the Olympic Games. Majdov was also punished for “refusing to bow” to Tselidis after he lost the Round of 16 elimination match, according to the IJF on Wednesday.
He will be eligible to return to competition in early 2025. The IJF forbids athletes from displaying religious signs near the field of play and has “zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or provocation that may impact our athletes’ performance.” “With 205-member national federations, each representing a different country or recognised territory (associate members), it is the duty of the IJF to ensure that the field of play is reserved for judo and gov.