“Everyone knows where you’re from even without a flag” – this phrase has become very popular in the Russian sports community over the past few months. Some agreed with this statement, others argued. In other countries, there are no reasons for such discussions, and athletes are hostile to attempts to deprive themselves of national symbols.

Thus, they tried to deprive the Olympic champion from Kazakhstan of the flag immediately after his victory, but Yeldos defended the honor of the country on the tatami and beyond.

“They promised to raise the flag”

The Kazakhstan Olympic team has made a successful start to their performance at the 2024 Games. The day after the opening ceremony, the athletes pleased the country with two medals at once. Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev won bronze in the 10-meter air rifle mixed event, and Yeldos Smetov became the Olympic champion in judo in the 60 kg weight category.

The Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo medalist won five victories in the tournament. In the semi-final, he confidently dealt with the Spaniard Francisco Garrigos, and in the main fight, the representative of France Luka Mkheidze was defeated. After the victory, the happy Yeldos, addressing the fans, joyfully announced the fulfillment of his promise.

— We promised to raise the flag of Kazakhstan before the head of state. We gave our word. Words cannot express, I am very happy! — vesti.kz quotes Smetov as saying.

Eldos Smetov / Photo: © Rob Carr / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Fighting outside the tatami

It was precisely with the state symbol that the judoka had some problems after his victory. Having won the fight, the happy Yeldos immediately went to the fans. His compatriots gave him the national flag, which the athlete threw over his shoulders, but then almost lost it – a representative of the organizers tried to explain something to Smetov and take the flag from him.

The judoka deftly dodged one woman, but immediately found himself on the second level of difficulty. Another arena employee tried to tear the Kazakh flag off the athlete’s back, and the two ladies were already saying something discontentedly after Yeldos. He again ignored the women’s attacks, kissed the flag and moved on.

One might assume the unthinkable, that there are some unspoken bans on flags at the Olympic tournament. However, other athletes were not prohibited from waving them. Did the organizers of the judo competition suddenly go crazy? Or did they simply not like the flag of Kazakhstan? In any case, Yeldos managed to fight off the annoying women and defend the honor of the country even beyond the tatami.