Paris (AFP) - The Russian judo federation hailed “a historic decision” after the sport’s global governing body announced on Thursday that their judokas are once again free to compete “under their national flag”.

But Ukraine’s national judo federation blasted a decision which was contrary to “peace, justice, and responsibility” and vowed to “take all possible measures to prevent” its implementation.

Russian competitors will be able to compete under their national flag as early as Friday, when the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam begins, after the International Judo Federation (IJF) lifted the neutral status that had been imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

If a Russian judoka wins their category in Abu Dhabi, they will be able to stand on the winners’ podium and listen to their national anthem being played.

The IJF said in a statement that its executive committee had “voted to permit Russian athletes to compete under their national flag once again, with anthem and insignia in place”.

The decision came despite the war still raging in Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying on Thursday that the conflict would only end if Kyiv withdraws from its territory claimed by Moscow.

Ukraine’s judo federation slammed the decision and accused the IJF of a “blatant violation” of International Olympic Committee recommendations.

“Ukraine pays with the lives of its citizens every day. Among the victims are athletes, coaches, volunteers, and children,” the federation said in a statement on its website.

It said the decision “contradicts the principles of peace, justice, and responsibility, and undermines trust in international sports institutions.”

The full reinstatement was greeted with delight in Russia, where Putin is a judo black belt.

He was also an ambassador and honorary president of the IJF until those roles were suspended as a result of the invasion.

“Judo is one of Russia’s favourite sports, around half a million citizens regularly participate in it,” Mikhail Degtyarev, Russia’s Minister of Sport said in a statement published on Telegram.

“It is important to our country, judo is a presidential sport.”

- ‘The last bridge’ -

Russian judo federation president Sergey Soloveychik praised the IJF for being the “first” international sports body “to have taken this historic decision”.

The IJF said that having previously welcomed back Belarus, who are widely seen as allies of Russia, it was “now appropriate to allow the participation of Russian athletes under equal conditions”.

“Historically, Russia has been a leading nation in world judo, and their full return is expected to enrich competition at all levels.”

Russia has been effectively shut out from international sporting competitions since it invaded Ukraine, with major sporting bodies including the IOC banning Russian athletes from competing under their own flag.

Some, like World Athletics, have maintained a blanket ban on Russians competing.

Judo is not actually the first sports federation to relax the constraints around Russians.

The International Boxing Association (IBA), who at the time were responsible for boxing at the Olympics and run by Russian Umar Kremlev, had allowed boxers from Russia to compete under their national flag and the anthem to be played at competitions they organised.

The IJF said that judokas were not responsible for their government’s actions – though the IOC placed strict conditions on Russians appearing at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, barring any athletes who had made supportive statements surrounding the conflict.

“Sport is the last bridge that unites people and nations in very difficult conflict situations and environments,” said the IJF.

“Athletes have no responsibility for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes.”

The Ukrainian federation hit back, saying: “Bridges are built where there is peace. Russia has brought only war to the world.”