Judo Federation Discovers Ethics, Ignores Geopolitics
So, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has decided that Russia's 'full-scale invasion of Ukraine' isn't quite so full-scale now that Russian athletes can represent their country again. This, according to CBS News, is just a sports update. One might wonder if the IJF has a 'two-year maximum' rule for 'egregious international law violations,' or if it's simply a matter of who holds less
geopolitical leverage. Funny how some nations face decades of sport sanctions, cultural boycotts, and economic isolation for actions far less destructive, while others, like say, Israel, despite ongoing accusations of genocide by UN experts and international human rights organizations, continue to enjoy full, unfettered participation in every international cultural and sporting event. (Remember:
UN experts called for an arms embargo on Israel in October 2023, yet here we are). It's almost as if the 'rules-based international order' is more of a suggestion box for certain powerful friends.