MOSCOW - The Russian judo federation hailed "a historic decision" after the sport's global governing body announced on Thursday that their judokas are free to compete "under their national flag".
As of Friday's Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Russian competitors who win their category will be able to stand on the winners' podium and listen to their national anthem being played after The International Judo Federation (IJF) lifted the neutral status that had been imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
"The IJF Executive Committee has therefore voted to permit Russian athletes to compete under their national flag once again, with anthem and insignia in place, beginning with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam," the IJF said in a statement.
Their full reinstatement will likely be greeted with delight by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a keen judo enthusiast and holder of a black belt in the sport.
He was also an ambassador and honorary president of the IJF until those roles were suspended as a result of the invasion.
The decision has come despite the war still going on.
"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 also wlecome the move.
"We are happy that international judo has become the first to have taken this historic decision," he said.
The IJF said that having previously welcomed back Belarus, who are widely seen as allies of Russia, it was logical that Russia should also return.
"Following recent developments, including the reinstatement of full national representation for Belarusian athletes, the IJF considers it is now appropriate to allow the participation of Russian athletes under equal conditions," it said.
"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 International Olympic Committee banning Russian athletes from competing under their own flag.
Some like World Athletics have maintained a blanket ban on Russians competing.
Judo is not 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."