Fights
Serbian judoka disqualified for crossing himself at the 2024 Olympics in Paris
Nemanja Maidov and Rafael Macedo / Photo: © Sarah Stier / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru
World and European champion Serbian judoka Nemanja Majdov has been disqualified for crossing himself at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the athlete himself stated this.
On Sunday, 28-year-old Maidov took to social media to announce that he had received a letter from the International Judo Federation (IJF) banning him for five months for making a religious gesture before his bout with Greece’s Theodoros Tselides at the 2024 Games.
— 15 days ago I received a decision from the World Judo Federation that I was suspended for 5 months. Precisely because I crossed myself during my entry at the Olympic Games. I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations. True, in the defensive letter about disciplinary action, I did not want to apologize for the fact that I crossed myself, although I did not even know what the punishment could be.
The Lord gave me everything for my career. And I’m proud of it. This will not change under any circumstances. It’s a pity that a sport like judo is carried away by such things,” wrote Maidov.
Source: Sportbox
