Algerian Fethi Nourine has been suspended by the International Judo Federation and will be ordered to leave Tokyo after withdrawing from the Olympics to avoid a potential meeting with an Israeli competitor.
Nourine, 30, was scheduled to take on Sudan's Mohamed Abdalrasool in the 73kg division on Monday, ahead of a possible clash with Israel's Tohar Butbul.
Speaking to Algerian media before his suspension was announced, Nourine said he refused to "get his hands dirty", with his political support for the Palestinian cause triggering the decision to pull out of Tokyo 2020.
Nourine also withdrew from the 2019 world championships after being paired with Butbul, and he will be sent home from the Olympics after refusing to compete.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) said Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef had both received a temporary suspension, with a disciplinary commission to further examine the case and consider possible further punishments.
"The IJF launched the investigation and notified the Algerian Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee," the IJF said in a statement.
"Responding to the information, the Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew both the athlete and coach accreditation and plans to send them home, applying sanctions accordingly.
"These actions were taken based on the official recorded declarations of both Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef, that were published in the media and that are 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."
"According to the IJF rules, in line with the Olympic charter and especially with rule 50.2 that provides for the protection of the neutrality of sport at the Olympic Games and the neutrality of the Games themselves, which states that 'no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas', Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef are now suspended and will face a decision by the IJF disciplinary commission, as well as disciplinary sanctions by the national Olympic committee of Algeria back in their country.
"Judo sport is based on a strong moral code, including respect and friendship, to foster solidarity and we will not tolerate any discrimination, as it goes against the core values and principles of our sport."
Jamaica's Ashley McKenzie eliminated in Round of 16 in men’s 60kg Judo
Jamaican Judoka Ashley McKenzie has been eliminated from the men’s 60kg Judo competition at the Paris Olympics at the Round of 16 stage after suffering a 1-0 loss to Turkey’s Salih Yildiz.
Yildiz secured a 1-0 victory over the Great Britain-born Jamaican by throwing a kata-guruma, one of the traditional forty throws of Judo.
McKenzie made history earlier on Saturday with his 10-0 win over Yemen’s Hesham Makabr in preliminary rounds, his first Olympic win competing for the land of wood and water.
Jamaican Judoka Ashley McKenzie through to men's 60kg round of 16
Jamaica’s Judoka Ashley McKenzie secured a spot in the Men’s 60kg Round of 16 following a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Yemen’s Hesham Makabr in preliminary round action at the Champ de Mars Arena in Paris on Saturday.
McKenzie, the first Jamaican athlete to compete at the Paris Olympic Games, defeated Makabr by throwing a tai otoshi. He received one yellow card, while his opponent, Makabr received two.
The United Kingdom-based McKenzie, who is making his fourth Olympic Games—first under the Jamaican flag—displayed his immense ability ahead of the Games when he won an historic bronze medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) for Jamaica in El Salvador last year.
McKenzie, 35, previously represented the UK at his last two Olympic Games.
His opponent for the next round is Salih Yildiz of Turkey.
Bahamian Alexander Strachan claims bronze medal at Pan American Judo Open in Peru
Bahamian judoka Alexander Strachan secured a bronze medal in the 90-kilogram (kg) division at the Pan American Judo Open in Lima, Peru on June 21, becoming only the second Bahamian to medal at the event after Cynthia Rahming in 2019.
The tournament had 76 judokas from 23 countries competing for coveted qualification spots for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
Strachan defeated Honduran Axel Garcia to secure one of the defining moments of his young career.
“Winning the bronze medal fills me with a mix of excitement and validation,” Strachan told the Nassau Guardian.
“It was a testament to the sacrifices made and the relentless effort put into my training. It also fueled a desire to return next time and strive for even greater accomplishments,” he added.
Strachan’s preparation for the tournament involved consistently attending eight hours of vigorous and grueling training sessions six days per week.
Overcoming nerves proved to be one of the biggest challenges for Strachan during the competition, he admitted.
Strachan then explained that he overcame those nerves through trusting the work that he's put in to prepare for the moment at hand.
“I had to overcome my nerves during the competition,” he said.
“I made up my mind to trust the process and believe in my abilities. That mindset allowed me to perform at my best and overcome any obstacles that came my way,” he added.
From a technical standpoint, Strachan was able to maintain a constant awareness of his and the opponent’s position on the mat, quickly seizing opportunities and execute various foot sweeps.
“I focused on getting my grip first and was always ready to switch positions when necessary,” Strachan explained.
“These strategies played a crucial role in my success and helped me secure the bronze medal,” he added.
Argentina's Mariano Coto Bersier took home the gold medal ahead of Remi Feuillet of Mauritius.
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